STATE OF MAHARASHTRA Vs. BHIMRAO DHODIBA KSHIRSAGAR

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The above appeals are directed against the judgment dated June 28, 1974 passed by the Special Judge, Sangli, convicting the appellants in Criminal Appeal No. 657 of 1974, who were original accused Nos. 3, 6, 7, 8 and 9 and acquitting the remaining 9 accused including accused Nos. 1 and 11 against whom the State has filed Criminal Appeal No. 1101 of 1974, challenging their acquittal.

(2.) The case appears to be a cause celebre in the district of Sangli as it related to mal-administration of the free skim milk powder distribution Scheme among the villages affected by scarcity. In 1966-67, at the relevant time, the Government of Maharashtra had declared the existence of scarcity conditions in 268 villages of Sangli District, as per the Resolution, dated January 7, 1966. 56 villages in Shirala Mahal, were included in the said list of scarcity affected villages.

(3.) Accused No. 1 was then working as Mahalkari at Shirala. Accused No. 2 was working under him as Treasury Aval Karkun. Accused No. 3 was working under them as Jamabandi clerk in the office of Mahalkari, Shirala. Accused No. 6 was working as Talathi of peltond Saja village. Accused No. 7 was the Talathi of Panumbre Marun Saja. Accused No. 8 was the Head Master of Wadi Bhagai Primary School. Accused No. 9 was working as sarpanch of Peltond village. Accused No. 4, Ananda Shankar Tandale, who later was examined as an approver assumed charge of the table of Jamabandi clerk sometime in March 1967. Accused No. 5 was appointed as Circle Officer of Charan Circle from April 1, 1967. Accused No. 10 was a business man of Shirala. Accused No. 11 was a hotel-keeper of Shirala. Accused Nos. 12, 13, 14 and 15 were alleged to have transported the milk powder.