In a case that began in 1995, Baldev Singh's appeal against his conviction for bribery was dismissed by the Delhi High Court on January 28, 2026. Judge Chandrasekharan Sudha agreed with the earlier decision, confirming Singh's guilt under the law that deals with corruption.
Baldev Singh, an Assistant Sub Inspector at Shakur Basti, was accused of asking for a ₹10,000 bribe from a businessman, referred to as PW1, on November 8, 1995. Singh allegedly took ₹5,000 the next day to avoid framing PW1 in false cases.
The trial court, on August 2, 2001, found Singh guilty under certain sections of the law against corruption. He was sentenced to two and a half years in prison, with fines totaling ₹15,000. The trial court did not find him guilty of blackmail under another section of the law.
"The appellant has been sentenced to undergo rigorous imprisonment for a period of two and half years with a fine of ₹10,000/-." - Trial Court Judgment
Singh's defense argued that the request and acceptance of the bribe were not clearly proven. They pointed out inconsistencies in PW1's story about the amount and place of the demand. The defense also questioned the reliability of a chemical test and the delay in sending evidence for lab analysis.
The prosecution, represented by the CBI, said that PW1's story, supported by a member of the trap team (PW7), was believable. They argued that small mistakes did not weaken the main evidence of bribery.
"The essential ingredients of demand and acceptance of illegal gratification stand established primarily through the testimony of PW1." - CBI Prosecutor
Judge Sudha found no reason to agree with the appeal, affirming that the prosecution's evidence was enough. The court dismissed claims that mistakes in the process affected the trial's fairness.
"I do not find any infirmity in the impugned judgment calling for an interference by this Court." - Justice Chandrasekharan Sudha
The appeal was dismissed, and all pending applications were closed, confirming Baldev Singh's conviction and sentence.
