New Delhi (ILNS): The Special Judge, CBI Cases, Delhi has passed an order sentencing RP Bhatia, former Special Metropolitan Magistrate, Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), Lajpat Nagar, to undergo five years Simple Imprisonment and a fine of Rs 75,000 in a bribery case.
The order has been passed in a case where the CBI had registered a case on a complaint where the complainant alleged that he had a shop in Alaknanada market, New Delhi and on August 8, 2018, RP Bhatia visited the market, along with an Inspector of MCD who had issued a challan for complainant’s shop with directions to attend the Court of Special Metropolitan Magistrate on August 13, 2018.
It has been alleged that on the same day, the complainant met the Special Metropolitan Magistrate in his court who allegedly demanded a bribe of Rs 60,000 for settling the challan. The complainant also alleged that the demand was again raised when Bhatia called the complainant on August 18 that year in his Court and the bribe was reduced to Rs 25,000 during negotiations.
Thereafter, it is said that the CBI caught Bhatia red handed while accepting the bribe amount of Rs 25,000 from the complainant. The CBI also raided the residential premises of Bhatia on August 18, 2020. After thorough investigation, a charge sheet was filed on October 5, 2015 against Bhatia in the Court of Special Judge, Patiala House Courts, New Delhi.
The Trial Court found Bhatia guilty and convicted him.