A man convicted of offering a $25 bribe to a police officer has been handed a 10-month suspended sentence by the Ba Magistrates Court, which acknowledged the small amount of money involved and the lack of planning behind the offence.
Shanil Raman, 36, was found guilty of one count of Bribery of a Public Official after attempting to offer $5 and later $20 to PC Mesulame during a traffic patrol operation on January 9, 2025, at Nailaga, Ba.
The court heard that despite being warned by the officer that such actions were illegal, Mr Raman continued to offer money and even placed the note in the officer’s hand in an attempt to influence him. The act was witnessed by another officer, and both notes were submitted as evidence.
In sentencing on September 30, Resident Magistrate Namrata Mishra said the starting point was 12 months imprisonment, with an additional 8 months added for aggravating factors, particularly Raman’s persistence after being cautioned.
However, the sentence was reduced to 10 months in light of Mr Raman’s clean record and personal circumstances. The court then suspended the sentence for 3 years, citing key mitigating factors.
“The benefit offered was a minimal amount, $25, and this was a less sophisticated case of bribery with no evidence of planning,” Magistrate Mishra said.
“The accused is a first offender with no prior convictions and demonstrated previous good character. These circumstances are considered exceptional.”
Magistrate Mishra warned that any offence committed within the 3-year suspension period could result in the activation of the prison term under Section 28 of the Sentencing and Penalties Act.
