Court orders trial of man for false complaint

New Delhi, Feb 1 (IANS) A court here has ordered to initiate proceedings against a man for lodging a false complaint against a Delhi Jal Board (DJB) official alleging he demanded a bribe of Rs.600 for allotting him water connection.

Special Judge Narottam Kaushal has directed to initiate proceedings against Inder Mohan Verma for leveling false allegation against DJB official Shiv Kumar.

Observing that Verma has denied that accused Kumar demanded any bribe, the court entitling benefit of doubt, acquitted the official.

"From the testimony of the complainant as noticed above, it is apparent that he is not stating the true facts," the court said in the Jan 24 order.

"Either his complaint was false or his testimony before the court on oath is false."

According to the prosecution, Verma Oct 3, 2011, lodged the complaint before the Anti-Corruption Bureau of Delhi Police alleging that Kumar, who was working in the office of zonal engineer of DJB, demanded money from him for giving the water connection.

"Statement made under oath, before this court shall have to be put on higher pedestal than the signed complaint. I am thus of the opinion that he has made a false charge against the accused, who is a public servant, of having committed the offence punishable under Prevention of Corruption Act," the court said.

During the trial, Kumar claimed that he was falsely implicated in the case.