SHANKAR MALHARRAO DESHMUKH Vs. STATE OF MAHARASHTRA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) IN these four criminal applications, the question involved is identical. They arise out of a common order made on 4-12-1996 by the learned Judicial Magistrate, F. C. Ambad, in Criminal Cases Nos. 23 to 26 of 1994, transferring these cases to the court of Chief judicial Magistrate, Jalna. They are, therefore, being disposed of by the common judgment.

(2.) THE petitioners are the accused persons in the criminal cases and they are the employees of district Central Co-operative Bank Limited, Jalna. A complaint is filed against them on the ground that they, while working in the District Central co-operative Bank Limited, Branch at Teerthpuri, misappropriated the amount exceeding Rs. 1,00,000/ -. A crime, therefore, came to be registered for commission of offences punishable under sections 420, 409, 467, 468, 471 read with 34 of the Indian penal Code.

(3.) CHARGE-SHEET came to be filed before the court of learned Judicial Magistrate F. C. Ambad. The learned Judicial Magistrate by his impugned order transferred these cases to the court of chief Judicial Magistrate, Jalna. The reason for transfer of these cases is that the charges levelled against the accused are serious and having much public importance. The impugned order is passed in exercise of powers under sections 322 (1) (c) read with 323 of the Code of Criminal procedure, relying on a decision in case of Baba abdul Khan vs. A. D. Sawant, J. M. F. C. Nagpur, 1994 cr. L. J. 2836.