A Delhi court has sentenced four years of imprisonment besides a fine of one lakh rupees to the former union leader Bangaru Laxman under Section 9 of Prevention of Corruption Act.

It is known that the court-in its 155 page judgment in fake arms deal, 2001-has held the then union minister Bangaru Laxman guilty of offence on Friday and reserved the quantum of punishment to Saturday. He was shifted to Tihar Jail on Friday and today he was produced before the court when the sentence was announced.

While no one from his family except his daughter was present at the court, the lawyer of Bangaru Laxman termed the case as a framed one and said he would challenge it in the higher court.

Meanwhile, 72-year-old Bangaru Laxman prayed the court to sentence him only minimum punishment of six months on health grounds. The CBI prosecutor, on the other hand, argued as to how corruption cases should be dealt strictly and asked for maximum punishment.

It may be recalled that Tehelka.com, a news portal then, conducted a sting operation wherein a reporter of Tehelka went in disguise of a fake arms dealer and offered one lakh rupees for a contract with the government. Laxman accepted the bribe besides demanded the remaining be paid in dollar and the entire episode was  recorded in hidden cameras.

The Judge has also said that the method adopted by Tehelka was objectionable, but their purpose was not objectionable.

Meanwhile, the journalist from Tehelka, Aniruddha Bahal has said that they never play dirty game with anybody.  They just showed how the system could be misused, she added.

People in India, who have been fighting against corruption, seem to have got a pinch of hope that no one would be spared hereafter and corrupted people should pay the price.  (Phani)