(1.) These appeals are heard and disposed of by this common judgment as they are appeals filed by two of the accused persons convicted in the same case. The appellant, in the first of these appeals, was Accused no.1 before the trial court (Hereinafter referred to as 'A-1', for brevity ) and the appellant, in the second of these appeals, was Accused no. 3 (Hereinafter referred to as 'A-3' , for brevity).
(2.) The facts leading up to these appeals are as follows : A-1 was the Senior Branch Manager, Corporation Bank, Cantonment Branch, MG Road, Bangalore, during the period 1999- 2000. Accused no.2 and 3 and 6 and 7 were said to be the Directors of Accused no. 8 to 11, which were companies registered under the Companies Act, 1956. Accused no. 4 and 5 were said to be the legal advisers of the above companies and its directors. It was alleged that at the relevant point of time, namely, 1999-2000, several Non-resident Indians (NRI) had made substantial deposits with Corporation Bank at the branch aforesaid, when A-1 was the manager. These deposits in US dollars and British pounds, was in excess of L 10.25 crore, in Indian currency. The deposits were called FCNR deposits.
(3.) During the pendency of this appeal, A-1 died. His widow, as his legal representative - has been granted leave by this court to prosecute the appeal.