VEDPRAKASHHANDOOJA Vs. DELHI ADMINISTRATION

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The appellant was tried in the court of Magistrate 1st Class Delhi for an offence under Section 409 Indian Penal Code and was acquitted. On appeal filed by the State, the Delhi High Court reversed the judgment of the trial court and convicted the appellant under Section 409 Indian Penal Code and sentenced him to undergo reigorous imprisonment for a period of one year and to pay a fine of Rs. 9,000/- or in default to undergo rigorous imprisonment for a further period of six months. It was also directed that out of the fine. If recovered Rs. 8,898.38 be paid to the Delhi Milk Scheme. The appellant then came up in appeal to this Court by special leave. The leave was however restricted to the question of sentence only. This Court also directed that the appellant be enlarged on bail so as to be in a position to raise resources to pay the amount of fine imposed upon him.

(2.) The appellant was employed as a cash clerk in the Delhi Milk Scheme. His duty was to collect cash from the milk depots assigned to him. It is stated the from September 18, 1966 to September 23, 1966 the appellant received Rs. 8,898.38 from the depot managers of the various depots which were under his charge, but failed to deposit the same with the Delhi Milk Scheme, the appellant absented himself with effect from September 24, 1966. Report to the police was thereupon made by the Administrative Officer of the Delhi Milk Scheme on September 27, 1966. A case was thereupon registered under Section 409 Indian Penal Code against the appellant. After investigation the appellant was sent up for trial. At the trial the appellant in his statement under Section 342 of the Code of Criminal Procedure stated that he became ill on September 18, 1966 and as such could not collect the cash amounts from the various depot managers. The appellant further stated that because of his illness he had gone to Karnal. It was denied by the appellant that had embezzled any amount.

(3.) The High Court after considering the material on record came to the conclusion that the prosecution case about the appellant having committed criminal breach of the trust of the sum of Rs. 8,898.38 was proved against him beyond doubt. The appellant was accordingly convicted and sentenced as above.