Supreme Court Upholds Restraint in Landmark Corruption Case Acquittal

The Supreme Court has underscored the significance of restraint in the criminal justice process by reinstating the acquittal of a former Assistant Commissioner of Labour involved in a 1997 corruption case. The apex court annulled a 2011 verdict by the Andhra Pradesh High Court, which had previously overturned a trial court's acquittal.

The high court had sentenced the man to one year in prison for allegedly demanding a bribe of Rs 9,000, but the Supreme Court pointed out that the high court had failed to consider the detailed reasoning provided by the trial court. The evidence presented was found lacking, with the prosecution unable to conclusively prove the bribe demand and acceptance beyond reasonable doubt.

In its decision, the Supreme Court stated that the criminal process thrives on both scrutiny and restraint, cementing the trial court's reasonable grounds for acquittal. The ruling highlighted that mere suspicion cannot replace definitive proof, especially in cases involving contract labour regulation.