STATE OF H. P. Vs. C. R. PREMI

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Above captioned Criminal appeals, lay challenge to judgments dtd. 11/4/2000, 31/7/2019 and 1/8/2019 passed by learned Special Judge(Forests) Shimla, Himachal Pradesh in Corruption case No.34-S/7 of 88/86, Session Trial RBT Nos. 40-S/7 of 1988/86, 35-S/7 of 1988/86, 36-S/7 of 1988/86, 37-S/7 of 1988/86, 38-S/7 of 1988/86, 39-S/7 of 1988/86, 41-S/7 of 1988/86 and 42-S/7 of 1988/86, respectively, whereby all the respondents (hereinafter referred to as the accused), came to be acquitted of the charges framed against them under Ss. 379, 411, 420, 467, 468, 471, 218, 167 of IPC, Ss. 41, 42 of Indian Forest Act, Sec. 5(2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1947 and Sec. 12 of H.P. Forest Produce (Regulation of Trade) Act, 1982 read with Sec. 120-B of IPC.

(2.) Though, nine number of FIRs, in total, were registered against the accused and separate trials were conducted in all the FIRs, but since facts leading to lodging of FIR are common in all the cases, as detailed hereinabove' and same were decided on the basis of one set of evidence in terms of order dtd. 24/8/1987 passed in Cr. Appeal No.40/1987, which was further upheld by Hon'ble Apex Court in SLP, this Court after having clubbed all the appeals, heard the same together and now are being disposed of vide common judgment.

(3.) Before giving separate table of each FIRs, facts which are common in all the FIR's are being taken note hereinbelow:-