TARSEM LAL vs STATE OF HARYANA

The Supreme Court upheld the conviction of the appellant, a Patwari, under Section 5(2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1947 and Section 161 of the Indian Penal Code for demanding and accepting a bribe of Rs. 150 for providing copies from the revenue record. The Court found the appellant's defense that the money was for a small savings scheme unconvincing, as he failed to provide any documentation or immediate explanation for the receipt of the money. While the sentence was reduced to the time already served, the fine was maintained, affirming the lower courts' decisions.