Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Feb 24: Special Judge Anticorruption Jammu, Sanjay Dhar today awarded three years rigorous imprisonment and fine of Rs 75,000 each to Ram Lal, the then Mohasib Tehsil Office Jammu, who was facing trial in embezzlement case.
According to the Vigilance case, when accused Ram Lal was posted as Mohasib with Tehsildar Agrarian Reforms Jammu on January 31, 1987 a sum of Rs 363070.34 was lying as credit balance in Account No. 4203/G/IInd pertaining to Tehsildar Jammu with J&K Bank Town Hall and sum of Rs 932680.96 was lying as credit balance in Account No. 4204/G/IInd pertaining to Tehsildar Agrarian Reforms Jammu with J&K Bank Town Hall.
He misappropriated amount to the tune of Rs 268974.81 during the period between 1.4.1989 to 31.12.1989.
After hearing CPO Harminder Singh for the Vigilance Organization, Special Judge Anticorruption Jammu observed, “accused in his capacity as Cashier/Mohasib was supposed to be custodian of public money but instead of acting as such, he himself misappropriated the same. He has, thus, failed to protect the legitimate interests of landowners, who must be running from pillar to post to get their dues from the Government because of the acts of misappropriation committed by the convict”.
“Such misconduct of public servants has to be dealt with iron hand so that it acts as deterrent for the elements in the civil service who are intending to commit similar acts”, the court said.
“After having been found guilty of criminal misconduct, he is likely to be dismissed from service and this will deprive him of his livelihood. Besides this, accused happens to be an old aged person and on this count also he deserves a lenient view. Further, there is material on record to suggest culpable negligence on the part of superior officers of accused which has contributed to misappropriation of Government money in this case, the court said.
Keeping in view all these mitigating and aggravating circumstances, the court awarded three years rigorous imprisonment and fine of Rs 75,000 on each count.
While awarding sentence to Ram Lal, Special Judge Anticorruption directed Secretary Revenue Department to hold regular departmental enquiry against the then Tehsildars Harbans Lal, Qamar Din and Abdul Hafiz and thereafter proceed against the delinquent officers in accordance with law.
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