"Doctor Accused of 1998 Bribery Case Acquitted by Orissa High Court Citing Lack of Substantial Evidence
In a recent development, the Orissa High Court has acquitted a doctor who had been accused of accepting a bribe of ₹300 from a patient back in 1998. The doctor, who had previously been convicted by a trial court in 2007, saw his conviction overturned by Justice SK Sahoo. The High Court's decision was based on the observation that the trial court had committed errors in its reasoning and had failed to consider significant evidence that supported the doctor's innocence.
Justice SK Sahoo highlighted that the trial court's judgment had been one-sided and lacked the necessary substantial, coherent, and credible evidence to prove the doctor's guilt. The High Court emphasized that the absence of concrete evidence regarding the doctor's demand and acceptance of the alleged bribe money made it unjust to assign guilt to him in a casual manner.
The case was initially brought forward by the State Vigilance, targeting Dr. Pradeepta Kumar Praharaj, an assistant surgeon at a government hospital in Nabarangpur district. The allegations stemmed from the discovery of ₹300 on the doctor's office desk, which was believed to have been an illicit bribe from a patient on September 14, 1998.
The trial, presided over by the Special Judge (Vigilance) in Berhampur, found the doctor guilty of soliciting and receiving the bribe. This verdict led to a six-month rigorous imprisonment sentence and a ₹1,000 fine under the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, in 2007.
However, in a turn of events, the doctor appealed the conviction in the High Court that same year. He was subsequently released on bail and has remained free since then. The High Court's recent decision reiterated that the mere recovery of the bribe amount was inadequate to prove guilt, especially without concrete evidence of both the demand and acceptance of the alleged bribe.
The High Court also raised doubts about the prosecution's case, as the alleged bribe request was claimed to have taken place nearly a week after the patient's discharge from the hospital. Considering these factors, the High Court allowed the doctor's appeal, leading to his acquittal.
Advocate Satya Smruti Mohanty represented the doctor in this case, while Advocate MS Rizvi represented the State during the proceedings."
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TAGS: Orissa High Court doctor acquitted 1998 bribery ₹300 patient conviction trial court Justice SK Sahoo evidence innocence State Vigilance Dr. Pradeepta Kumar Praharaj assistant surgeon government hospital Nabarangpur district Special Judge (Vigilance) Berhampur guilt Prevention of Corruption Act 1988 appeal imprisonment fine prosecution demand acceptance verdict High Court decision recovery allegations discharge Advocate Satya Smruti Mohanty Advocate MS Rizvi.
