The life of 83-year-old Jageshwar Prasad Avadhia from Raipur, Chhattisgarh, was irrevocably altered by a false accusation. The charge of accepting a ₹100 bribe in 1986 robbed him of his job, family, and respect. Now, after 39 years, the High Court has completely acquitted him. However, the delay in receiving justice has caused irreparable damage to his life. Avadhia is now seeking outstanding pension and financial assistance from the government to spend his remaining days in peace.
The incident dates back to 1986 when Jageshwar Prasad was working as a bill assistant at the Raipur office of the Madhya Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (MPSRTC). An employee, Ashok Kumar Verma, pressured him to pass his pending bill. Jageshwar refused, citing regulations. The following day, Verma attempted to bribe him with ₹20, but Jageshwar returned the notes.
On October 24, 1986, Verma forcibly shoved ₹100 (two ₹50 notes) into his pocket. The vigilance team then raided and arrested him. Jageshwar maintained this was a pre-planned conspiracy. At the time of the arrest, his hands were washed with chemicals, and the notes were presented as evidence. Despite this, Jageshwar repeatedly proclaimed his innocence.
Following the incident, Jageshwar’s life went off track. He was suspended from 1988 to 1994, and then transferred to Rewa. His salary was halved, and promotions and increments were halted. His family of four children faced financial hardship. Jageshwar recalls that it was difficult to manage the household with a salary of ₹2,500. He couldn’t pay his children’s fees, and their education was disrupted.
His wife remained under constant stress and eventually passed away. His younger son, Neeraj Avadhia, who was 12 years old at the time, says, “Society ostracized us by calling us the family of a bribe-taker.” Neighbors distanced themselves, and children at school didn’t talk to him. He was expelled from school multiple times for not paying fees. Neeraj completed his MA privately, but couldn’t marry due to financial constraints. Now, at the age of 50, he is struggling with health problems, and the family depends on government rations.
After retirement, Jageshwar did not receive a pension. He worked as a watchman and did odd jobs to make ends meet. In the eyes of society, his image transformed from an honest employee to a bribe-taker.
In 2004, the trial court convicted Jageshwar under the Prevention of Corruption Act, sentencing him to one year in prison and a fine of ₹1,000. However, he did not give up and appealed to the High Court. The bench of Justice B.D. Guru recently ruled that the prosecution failed to present solid evidence of demanding or accepting a bribe. The witnesses, documents, and circumstantial evidence were insufficient. The court overturned the trial court’s decision, highlighting the differences between the 1947 and 1988 corruption laws. After 39 years, Jageshwar was declared innocent.
Now residing in a 90-year-old ancestral home in Avadhia Para, Raipur, Jageshwar is exhausted. The files of documents in his home’s cupboard are the witnesses to his long battle. He says, “Justice was served, but at what cost? My family is ruined.” He hopes to receive the outstanding pension and the money for his suspension period so that his remaining days can pass without hardship. Neeraj adds, “My father’s name is cleared, but our childhood and youth cannot be returned. We appeal to the government to compensate for this injustice.”
This case highlights the adverse consequences of delays in the judicial process. Experts say that victims in such cases need to be compensated and ensured swift justice. Jageshwar’s story serves as a warning of how a false accusation can devastate an entire life.
