A 67-year-old retired motor vehicle inspector in Delhi government's transport department has been sentenced to three years in jail for amassing disproportionate assets of over Rs 11 lakh by a court here which expressed concern over increasing corruption.
The court observed that corruption by public servants has created a sense of insecurity for the common man and such cases do not deserve leniency as a strong message needs to be sent to the society.
Special CBI Judge Sanjay Garg-I awarded the jail term to Shankar Prasad Dubey, who was found possessing assets of Rs 11,78,097 not known to his legal income, saying while in service, he had been "indulging into corruption and amassing ill-gotten money".
"Corruption in day-to-day public life is on the rise. There is furore in the society against corruption in public life. It is a very serious problem and hurdle on the path of progress of this country.
"Corruption by public servants has created a sense of insecurity for the common man. Such cases deserve no leniency as a strong message needs to be sent to the society. The superior courts from time to time have observed that a strict approach needs to be adopted in cases of corruption," the court said and also imposed a fine of Rs one lakh on Dubey.
It also directed that the amount recovered during search proceedings, being ill-gotten money, be also confiscated.
According to CBI, a DA case was lodged in August 1995 against Dubey on the allegation that during a surprise check, his house was searched and assets of over Rs 22.3 lakh were recovered.
Dubey, a resident of Palam Colony here, had joined Delhi government's transport department in 1989 and was working as a motor vehicle inspector. Prior to that he was working with Air Force for 20 years and retired as a Sergeant.
CBI said the check period was taken from May 23, 1989 to August 21, 1995 and while his income was Rs 6.7 lakh and expenditure was of Rs 2.44 lakh, the assets found were of Rs 22.3 lakh. The disproportionate assets were found to the tune of Rs 17.97 lakh, the agency had submitted.
During the trial, Dubey claimed that he had been "falsely" implicated.
He sought leniency in sentence saying he was old and was facing the proceedings for last 18 years and was suffering from various ailments.
