Rats gnawed bribe notes... Supreme Court judges also surprised by Bihar case, female accused granted bail

Bihar Corruption: In a corruption case in Bihar, currency notes seized as evidence were eaten by rats. When this claim was made during the hearing of a female officer’s bail petition in the Supreme Court, the judges were astonished. The court remarked that in many such cases, seized currency notes must be getting destroyed due to lack of proper storage, causing significant revenue loss. However, the court did not appear satisfied with the explanation of the notes being gnawed by rats. The court stated it would review the matter further.

What was the case before the court

This case in the Supreme Court was related to a petition by a female officer convicted of corruption. She was accused of taking a bribe of 10,000 from a complainant in 2014 while serving as a child development program officer. The trial court had acquitted her, but later, upon appeal by the department, the High Court convicted her and sentenced her to four years in prison. The woman challenged this order in the Supreme Court.

Judges also surprised by High Court order

During the hearing, the bench of Justice J.B. Pardiwala and Justice K.V. Viswanathan noted a part (paragraph 53) of the High Court’s order. The High Court had written in its order that the prosecution could not present the seized notes in court because, due to improper maintenance in the storeroom, the notes were eaten by rats. However, the entry of these notes was recorded in the storeroom register. The High Court acknowledged in its order that due to the destruction of evidence, the recovery of notes could not be proven in this case, but it still convicted the woman based on other facts and sentenced her to four years.

Court will investigate truth of rats gnawing notes

In its order, the Supreme Court said, “We cannot ignore what the High Court has stated in its order. We are surprised by the claim that the notes were eaten by rats. In such cases, so much recovered money must be wasted simply because it was not kept safe. This negligence causes revenue loss.” The court also added that the explanation of rats gnawing the notes does not seem credible. The court said that when it hears the woman’s plea at the next hearing, it will also consider this aspect. Along with this, the court granted the woman interim relief and bail.

Supreme Court

The Supreme Court of the United States is the highest federal court, established by Article III of the Constitution in 1789. It holds the power of judicial review, allowing it to declare laws unconstitutional, a principle solidified in the landmark 1803 case *Marbury v. Madison*. The iconic neoclassical building in Washington, D.C., completed in 1935, serves as the symbol of an independent judiciary.

Bihar

Bihar, located in eastern India, is one of the world’s oldest inhabited places with a rich history dating back to ancient kingdoms like Magadha. It was the epicenter of major religious and cultural developments, serving as the birthplace of Buddhism and Jainism, and home to the famous Nalanda University, a renowned ancient center of learning. Today, Bihar is known for its historical sites, such as the Mahabodhi Temple in Bodh Gaya, where Buddha attained enlightenment, and its vibrant festivals.

Supreme Court

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Supreme Court

The Supreme Court of the United States is the highest federal court in the country, established by Article III of the U.S. Constitution in 1789. It holds the power of judicial review, allowing it to interpret laws and overturn those deemed unconstitutional, a precedent set by the landmark 1803 case *Marbury v. Madison*. The iconic neoclassical building in Washington, D.C., completed in 1935, serves as the court’s permanent home and a symbol of the American judicial system.

Bihar

Bihar, located in eastern India, is one of the world’s oldest inhabited places with a rich history as a center of power and learning. It was the heart of the ancient Magadha kingdom, home to the Maurya and Gupta empires, and the site of the first university in the world, Nalanda. Today, it is known for its cultural heritage, including Buddhist and Jain pilgrimage sites like Bodh Gaya and Vaishali.

Marbury v. Madison

Marbury v. Madison (1803) was a landmark U.S. Supreme Court case that established the principle of judicial review, giving the Court the power to declare laws unconstitutional. The case arose after William Marbury sued Secretary of State James Madison for failing to deliver his judicial commission, appointed under President John Adams. Chief Justice John Marshall’s ruling ultimately denied Marbury’s request but asserted the Court’s authority to interpret the Constitution, shaping the balance of power among the three branches of government.

Nalanda University

Nalanda University was a renowned ancient Buddhist monastery and center of learning in present-day Bihar, India, flourishing from the 5th to the 12th century CE. It attracted scholars from across Asia, offering studies in subjects like philosophy, medicine, and astronomy, and is considered one of the world’s first residential universities. The site was destroyed by invaders in the late 12th century, but its legacy endures, and a modern Nalanda University was re-established nearby in 2010.

Mahabodhi Temple

The Mahabodhi Temple, located in Bodh Gaya, India, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site marking the spot where Siddhartha Gautama attained enlightenment and became the Buddha around 500 BCE. The current temple structure dates back to the 5th–6th centuries, with later restorations, and features a towering 55-meter pyramidal spire. It is one of the most sacred Buddhist pilgrimage sites, centered around the Bodhi Tree, a descendant of the original tree under which the Buddha meditated.

Bodh Gaya

Bodh Gaya is a UNESCO World Heritage site in Bihar, India, renowned as the place where Siddhartha Gautama attained enlightenment and became the Buddha around 500 BCE. The site’s centerpiece is the Mahabodhi Temple, which houses a descendant of the original Bodhi Tree under which he meditated. For centuries, it has been a major pilgrimage destination for Buddhists worldwide, reflecting its profound spiritual and historical significance.