HITEN PRASAN DALAL Vs. CENTRAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION

JUDGEMENT

(1.) These bunch of cases, are in respect of different transactions.

(2.) The allegations against the accused are, however, of a similar nature. In the general conspiracy, the main accused Harshad Mehta died before the trial, which he was facing, concluded. We are informed by learned counsel, that a few matters of the like nature, have been adjudicated upon by this Court, wherein the accused-appellants have been acquitted. In other matters, while maintaining the conviction of the accused, this Court, while examining the quantum of sentence, has held, that the same needed to be modified, to the period already undergone by them. In this behalf, learned counsel for the rival parties have invited our attention to Ram Narayan Popli vs. Central Bureau of Investigation, 2003 3 SCC 641, and S. Mohan vs. Central Bureau of Investigation, 2008 7 SCC 1.

(3.) It is also pointed out by the learned counsel, that the appellants in this case are brokers and/or bank employees. The transactions in question pertain to the early 1990's. And as such, according to learned counsel, it would suffice, if while maintaining their conviction, their sentence is altered to the period already undergone by them.