M. RAMASAMY Vs. STATE

JUDGEMENT

(1.) These three appeals are against the common judgment passed by the learned Additional Special Judge for CBI Cases, Chennai in C.C. Nos. 66 to 68 of 2001, dated 06.05.2004.

(2.) On a consolidated complaint given by the Chief Vigilance Officer, Indian Bank to the Joint Director, CBI, on 25.11.1997, a case has been registered against the appellant M. Ramasamy, Manager of Overseas Branch at Chennai. As a result of investigation, three final reports have been lodged. Since the events and allegations of fraud, misappropriation and cheating are so interconnected, the trial Court has framed charges under Sections 477A, 420 IPC and 13(2) r/w 13(1)(d) of the Prevention of Corruption Act,1988 in each of the cases. Pursuant to a memo filed by the accused/appellant for joint trial, all the three cases were taken up for joint trial by recording evidence in common. Prosecution examined 19 witnesses and 141 exhibits were marked through them. When questioned under section 313(2) of Cr.P.C., 1973 the accused has denied the incriminating evidence and has tendered one exhibit in support of his defence.

(3.) Accepting the case of the prosecution, the trial Court has held that the charges levelled against the accused in all the three cases were proved by the prosecution and convicted the accused and sentenced him to undergo imprisonment, which reads as under: