A special CBI court sentenced dismissed official Neeraj Khatri to four years' rigorous imprisonment for corruption. The order stresses deterrence while balancing punishment against his age and dismissal from service.
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Newdelhi,Oct 14, 2026 17:50 IST
A special CBI court in New Delhi has sentenced dismissed government official Neeraj Khatri to four years' rigorous imprisonment in a corruption case, saying such offences must be dealt with firmly to deter others.
Khatri had earlier been convicted of criminal misconduct by a public servant under the Prevention of Corruption Act. The court declined to impose the maximum sentence of seven years after considering his age and dismissal from government service.
Special Judge Chhavi Kapoor passed the sentencing order on October 6 after hearing arguments from the CBI and Khatri's counsel.
The CBI sought the maximum sentence, arguing that corruption "destroys societal will to progress" and that Khatri did not deserve any leniency.
Khatri's counsel sought a lenient sentence, saying he suffers from a chronic spinal disorder, persistent back pain and numbness in his lower limbs. The counsel also said Khatri had been dismissed from service and had no real means to support his family.
"Corruption cases are to be dealt with a very strong hand so as to signal deterrence. Imposition of appropriate punishment is the manner in which the courts respond to the society's cry for justice against the criminals," the court said.
It said undue sympathy and an inadequate sentence could harm public confidence in the justice system, while a disproportionately severe sentence should also be avoided.
The court noted that Khatri had already been convicted in two other CBI cases under the Prevention of Corruption Act. The Delhi High Court, which is hearing his appeals against those convictions, has suspended the sentences in both cases.
"Thus, his antecedents cannot be termed to be clean. Hence, there are no grounds to afford leniency and grant minimum sentence to him," the court said.
The court ultimately sentenced Khatri to four years' rigorous imprisonment, balancing the need for deterrence with his age and the fact that he had already been dismissed from government service.
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