Jammu, Oct 30 : Special Judge Anti-corruption (CBI Cases), J&K, Kaneez Fatima today awarded four years imprisonment and a fine of Rs 85,000 to Vibihishan Bhagat, senior cashier in the office of Deputy FA/CAO (C) Northern Railway, Jammu, who had allegedly misappropriate Rs 7.90 lakh. According to the CBI case, Vibishan Bhagat, while working as senior cashier in the office of Deputy Financial Advisor & Chief Accounts Officer (construction), Northern Railway, Jammu Tawi, from 1997 to 1999, allegedly entered into a criminal conspiracy with others and misappropriated an amount of Rs 7.90 lakh by forging records and falsifying entries in the railway records. On the basis of this information, a case was registered on January 4, 2001, and taken up for investigation accordingly. During investigation, it was revealed that Vibishan was working as senior cashier in the office of Deputy FA/CAO (construction), Northern Railway, Jammu, during 1999 and used to make payments of different kinds of bills from the advance money given to him through cheques from the said office. The judge, after hearing the two sides, observed that in view of the painful journey of trial of 11 years as well as the age of the accused and his failing health, the adequate sentence commensurate with the level of his guilt would be four years imprisonment on each count and a consolidated fine of Rs 85000. He is sentenced accordingly. The substantive sentences of imprisonment shall run concurrently. The amount of fine be deposited within 15 days from today failing which the same shall be realized from the estate of the accused and sent the accused to the district jail. (JNF) |