Justice B.D. Guru's single bench acquitted Basant Kumar Sikheria, who was posted in Bastar's Kokanpur area, citing procedural lapses and contradictions in the prosecution case.

The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) trapped Sikheria on March 18, 2015, after farmer Maksudan complained he demanded the sum to process a tubewell subsidy. A special court in Kanker later sentenced him to four years under Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption Act and five years under related provisions.

Sikheria appealed, arguing the subsidy file had already been forwarded to higher authorities, leaving him no pending work or approval power. Audio evidence lacked mandatory certification under Section 65B of the Evidence Act, rendering it inadmissible.

The High Court agreed, noting serious inconsistencies in the complainant's testimony, flaws in the trap procedure, and doubtful proof of demand. Citing Supreme Court precedents, it ruled that when demand itself is uncertain, conviction cannot stand.

The bench quashed the trial court's verdict, granting Sikheria the benefit of doubt.