Prevention of Corruption Act – Licensed Stamp Vendor – Demand of excess Rs.2/- for Rs.10/- Stamp paper.
The Complainant went to the office of Sub-Registrar, Delhi, for purchase of stamp paper of Rs.10/-. The appellant demanded Rs.12/-.
The appellant was apprehended by the Anti-corruption Bureau.
HELD that a licensed stamp vendor is a public servant since he has to ensure access to stamp papers which are indispensable for legal transactions falling with the scope of “performance of a public duty”. Stamp vendors across the country, by virtue of performing an important public duty and receiving remuneration from the Government for the discharge of such duty, are undoubtedly public servants within the ambit of Section 2[c][i] of the Prevention of Corruption Act.
The appellant stamp vendor was eligible for receiving the discount on the purchase of stamp papers owing to the license.
Judgment dated 2.5.2025 of the Supreme Court of India in Criminal Appeal No.2613 of 2014 of Aman Bhatia Vs. State (GNCT of Delhi)
