M. NARAYANAN NAMBIAR vs STATE OF KERALA

The Supreme Court upheld the conviction of the appellant under Section 5(1)(d) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1947, for abusing his position as a public servant to obtain government land for his brother-in-law without disclosing the relationship and undervaluing the trees on the land. The Court emphasized that a penal statute must be construed strictly, requiring a dishonest intention as an ingredient of the offence. It found that the High Court violated principles of natural justice by not allowing the appellant to contest the prosecution's evidence, necessitating a remand for further proceedings.