Jodhpur, July 16 -- A retired official has been sentenced to four years of simple imprisonment by a special Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) court for acquiring assets 65.01% beyond his known sources of income. The court also imposed a fine of Rs.41.65 lakh on him. The accused, Surendra Kumar Soni, for a brief period had served as the then manager (technical) at the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), Chittorgarh. He was the assistant engineer in public works department. Originally a resident of Maharaja Apartment, Gulab Bagh Road, Udaipur, Soni was caught by the CBI on April 29, 2013, while accepting a bribe of Rs.3 lakh from a complainant. The bribe was allegedly demanded for clearing a bill of Rs.30.46 lakh. During searches conducted at his residence and office, the CBI recovered multiple documents related to immovable and movable assets. On the basis of investigation, the CBI claimed that Soni had acquired assets 116% in excess of his legitimate income, and registered a separate disproportionate assets (DA) case against him on June 30, 2016. However, after examining the evidence, the court concluded that the actual excess wealth was 65.01%. On Monday, special judge (CBI cases) Bhupendra Kumar Sanadhya pronounced the 108-page judgment, convicting 62-year-old Soni under provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act. Following the sentencing, Soni was sent to Jodhpur Central Jail. Special Public Prosecutor Bhagwan Singh Bhanwaria represented the CBI in the case. In its observations, the court noted: "Corruption has spread into every sector and is eating away at the country's economy like termites. Despite the stringent provisions under the Prevention of Corruption Act, public servants are not refraining from engaging in corruption; instead, they are inventing new methods every day." The court further held that Soni, while being deputed to NHAI as a public servant, abused his position and resorted to corrupt and illegal means, committing a grave criminal act by acquiring wealth far beyond his legitimate earnings. It ruled that Soni be awarded four years of simple imprisonment along with a fine of Rs.41.65 lakh. In default of payment, he will have to undergo an additional six months of simple imprisonment....