HARIHAR PRASAD Vs. STATE OF BIHAR

JUDGEMENT

(1.) THE Judgment of the court was delivered by -

(2.) THERE were six appellants in this case. Three of them were officers of the government of the State of Bihar and others were contractors. All these persons are alleged to have entered into a criminal conspiracy, for committing the offences of criminal breach of trust and cheating, in respect of large amounts of government money earmarked for a Project known as "Mahuadar Development Block Pilot Project". The project was for the welfare of the scheduled tribes under a scheme sponsored by the government of India for a period ending with 1960-61.

(3.) AN outline of the scheme was communicated to the Commissioners of the Divisions and was also received by S.K.Sinha, I.A.S., the Deputy Commissioner of Palamau. He was informed that Rs. 27 lakhs as aforesaid would be available for the entire period of five years. Two Schedules were attached-Schedule I contained a break-up of the schematic budget, Schedule II to the letter contained the details of estimated expenditure during the current financial year) i. e. 1956-57. There were estimates for Mahuadar Block during 1956-57 estimated under different heads. This letter directed that the tentative programme as in Schedule II should be scrutinised by heads of technical departments in the light of. "felt-needs", and in consultation with the Block Development Officer concerned. The District Officer was to, if necessary, make modifications after consulting the Block Advisory Committee. The programme thus finalised was to be forwarded to the Development Commissioner with the comments of the Divisional Commissioners at an early date.