N.C.MUKHERJI, J. - (1.) THESE appeals have been filed against an order of conviction dated 31 -7 -70 passed by Shri S. C, Majumdar, Judge Calcutta Third Additional Special Court, Calcutta.
(2.) CRIMINAL Appeal No. 335 of 1970 has been filed by Krishnalal Naskar, Banobir Burman, Mata Prosad Ghose and Brahmananda Sarkar. They were convicted Under Section 409/109 IPC and sentenced to Rule I. for one year. Criminal Appeal No, 336 of 1970 has been filed by Suresh Ch. Saha who has been found guilty Under Section 409 and 409/120B IPC and sentenced to R. I. for one year under each count. It was ordered that the sentences would run concurrently Cr. Appeal No. 337 of 1970 has been filed by Alik Narayan Jha alias Alik Narayan Ojha against an order of conviction under Section 409/120B and sentenced to R. I. for one year. The other accused persons, namely, Bma Devi, Lalmohon Pal Aurobinda Mukherji, Manotosh Mitra. Oremlal Parasar, Sumanbhai Patel and Reba Chakraborty were found not guilty Under Section 409/120B IPC and were acquitted. These three appeals were taken up together. All the accused persons were charged under Section 409/120B IPC for entering into a conspiracy in respect of criminal breach of trust of consignment of petrol. Accused Suresh Saha was further charged under S 409 IPC in respect of criminal breach of trust of consignment of petrol dated 20 -7 -62, 26 -7 -62, 31 -7 -62, 2 -R -62 and 21 -8 -62. The facts of the case may briefly be stated as follows: After the partition of Bengal in 1947 there was a vast influx of refugees and a Special Department was opened which was named Refugee Relief and Rehabilitation Department, The Calcutta Office of this branch was established at 10A, Auckland Road, though the directorate was situated at Writers' Buildings. The main function of this Department was to ameliorate the condition of the refugees and make provision for their rehabilitation within and outside the State. For the purpose of transport facilities a fleet of trucks and other vehicles was necessary and for that purpose the depart - ment owned a fleet of 54 vehicles with drivers and cleaners, of which 46 were in running condition during the relevant period. At the outset, for the consumption of petrol coupons were issued to other petrol pumps from which the drivers of the trucks and vehicles used to .lift the petrol. But that was soon found to be uneconomic and it was decided to instal a petrol pump within the compound of the building situated at 10A, Auckland Road in pursuance of a contract entered into by the department with Standard Vacuum Oil Company, popularly known as Esso Company. Petrol was indented from the Esso Company and deposited in the underground tank of the department wherefrom it was issued to different trucks and vehicles. The receiving section indented and received petrol into 'he tank and issuing section as per slips issued petrol to different vehicles and trucks and maintained an account of the same. The receiving section was originally operated by Shri Surendramohon Sengupta, the store keeper who received petrol till 1961. After Shri Sengupta ceased to do that work P.W. 12 - Debabrata Ghosh (the accused who subsequently turned approver) did all the works of the store keeper with the permission of Major Brahma. Debabrata Ghosh was the petrol clerk and he joined the department on 10/ll April, 1957. His works were to indent petrol and mobile oil. to receive 'he same, to maintain the stock book and to get them signed by Major Brahma on receipt of petrol. Confirmation slips were issued sometime after the confirmation of the receipt of petrol upon which bills were sent by ESSO Company with the attached confirmation slip. The underground tank had a capacity of 2000 gallons or 9,100 liters of petrol. There were two pipes to the underground tank. One was called the dip pipe and the other the fill up pipe. Through the dip pipe measurement was taken by a measuring rod and the quantity of petrol was calculated with the help of a calibration chart and that was done before unloading the contents of the tanker vehicle into the underground tank. The drivers of the ESSO Company used to come with challans in triplicate and after verification of the underground tank and the seal thereof, climbed the tanker and measured the contents with the help of a measuring rod. The petrol clerk also used to verify the seal of the chamber of the petrol tanker before the seal was broken under the direction of the petrol clerk. Then the petrol clerk took measurement of the contents of the petrol tanker with the measurement rod. Thereafter the helper of the vehicle with the aid of the driver poured petrol into the underground tank and after delivery the petrol clerk climbed up the tanker to see whether any petrol was left inside. Then again the measurement of petrol in the underground tank was taken. After being satisfied that the entire quantity of petrol was delivered the petrol clerk used to sign challan and after delivery the driver used to seal Up the fill pipe and the dip pipe after replacing the caps en them. The two signed challans used to be made over to the drivers and one Was regained by the petrol clerk for retaining in the record of the R. R. department. Measurement taken with the measuring rod were noted in the back of the challans and also in the stock book. Stock book was maintained by the petrol clerk. Thereafter, confirmatory order was sued in duplicate or triplicate to be attached to the bills sent by the ESSO Company, After submission of the bills, the transport section rave necessary certificate about the entries in the bill and made entries in the bill register and stock book The AROT used to sign the bill after necessary verification and then after the signature of DCDT the bills were used to be sent to the A/cs, department. The department possessed 15 vehicles with 50 drivers and helpers. Each vehicle had a log book. When a driver required petrol for a journey he came to the AROT with a log book and the AROT used to verify the log book and send the driver to the petrol clerk or the pump attendant who verified the log book to ascertain the quantity of petrol required for the journey. Entries were made in the log book by the driver or by the petrol clerk or by the pump attendant who issued petrol slips and the driver or the store clerk or the pump attendant made note in the log book about the issue of petrol slips and the quantity of petrol. All the petrol slips were serially numbered and after writing of the petrol slips which used to be don ordinarily by accused Arabinda in duplicate by carbon process, those were sent to the AROT for his signature. After his signature the petrol issue slips used to come back to the clerk who prepared it and then two original slips were made over the pump attendant for delivery of petrol to the driver of the vehicle. After delivery of petrol the pump attendant noted the meter reading behind the petrol slip. Pump attendant used to make over all the slips to the petrol clerk thereafter and the petrol clerk then used to post all the slips in the petrol slip posting book which was maintained by him. The note was made in the stock book and balance was struck after noting the quantity of petrol. Major Brahma from time to time used to verify the noting by putting his signature therein. In August or September, 1961 accused Suresh Saha Was placed in -charge of receipt of petrol and the petrol clerk P.W. 2 - Debu Ghosh was to do all the works under his supervision. Under that arrangement Suresh used to remain present when petrol was to be delivered and it was he who ordered pouring petrol into the underground tank after being satisfied as to the measurement. Suresh used to sign the challans thereafter and Debu used to sign the challans after Suresh signed the same, in December, 1961 Suresh asked P W. 2 Debu as to whether he was in the habit of drinking and after getting the reply that Debu drank once or twice, he indulged in some amorous talks with P. W, 2 and asked from to remain at home between 730 and 8 p. m, Suresh came to Debu's house at the appointed time and took; him to a taxi to a place near B. K. Pal Avenue where they made merry making with a girl. The same thing was repeated on the following day In the 4 place Suresh told Debu that some extra money was required for such environment and that provision for the same could be made by selling some petro1 outside. To this proposal Debu but at first was unwilling to agree. but afterwards agreed on the assurance held by Suresh. Suresh told Debu that hey would have talks with the driver of the ESSO Company for this purpose. P.W. 2 after talking to the driver informed Suresh that it was possible to sell petrol at the rate of Re. 1/ - per gallon through the help of the drivers. The first sale of petrol look place on 6 -1 -1962 when a little portion of petrol was poured into the underground tank and the rest was left in the tank for sale outside and the challans were duly signed by both Suresh and Debu in token of full delivery. Payment of Rs. 500/ - was made to Debu near moniment and the amount was divided between Suresh and Debu who spent the amount at the brothel. Debu was assured of having a young girl for his enjoyment. Accused Lal -mohon and accused Arbinda came to know about the conspiracy and as such they were also taken into confidence. Lalmohon took upon Ivmself the responsibility of finding a girl for Debu and accordingly Debu was taken to 12, Abinash Kabiraj Street where Debu was acquainted to accused Alik Narayan Ojha who was the daroan of that brothel. The brothel was popularly known as Nandarani's flat. Thus, matters went on merrily and the accused Bina was engaged for P. W, 2 Debu. Bina implored Debu to save her from the life of shame and asked him to remove her from the brothel. Suresh approved of the idea. Accused Gobinda came to know about this affair and as such Aliknarayan and Gobinda were also taken info confidence. It was, proposed that consignment should be sold in full. But in order to ensure sale of full consignments strict precaution was necessary and for that purpose accused Banabir, a driver of the ESSO Co. and accused Brahma -aanda a clerk of the Chjttarganj Terminal, Budge Budge were taken into confidence that petrol would be sent from Chittarganj Terminal through the driver Banabir and for his efforts Brah -mananda would lake Rs. 30/ - from the side of I he driver and Rs. 30/ - from the side of the R. R Department. Thus, the orbit of the conspiracy was enlarged by the involvement by accused Nos. 9 and 17. The first sale of the entire consignment took place on 15 -2 -1962 and delivery was given not at Auckland House but accused Banabir waited near Outramghat where the challans were signed in token of receipt of the full consignment in the tank of the R. R. Department. It was arranged that money for the illegal sale of petrol was to be got from the house of Banabir at Gariahat and money was actually taken from Banabir's house and money was distributed at Nandarani's flat amongst the accused Nos. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7. In this way the trend of events followed and on 16 -2 -1962 a part of the consignment was sold, On that day a part of the consignment was delivered and the remaining was left for sale and Suresh demanded money from Banabir. Banabir proposed that the petrol mighl be sold to accused Manotosh and for that purpose, he look P.W. 2 to Manotosh Mitra's petrol pump. At that time, Manotosh Mitra paid Rs. 100/ - to Debu and assured him that he would be their regular customer and for that purpose requisite arrangements were made. Conspiracy to sell petrol in this way continued. The next delivery for illicit sale took place on 27 -2 -1962 when the petrol was delivered at Outramghat and the entire consignment was fixed up for illicit, sale and the challan was signed by accused Suresh and Debu in token of delivery. In th's way part of consignment was sold on 3 -3 -1962 and the entire consignment was sold on 9 -3 -1962. On 16 -3 -1962 the entire consignment was sold. Similar thing happened on 27 -3 -1962. On 29 -3 -1962 accused Banabir paid Rs. 300/ - to accused Saha. On all these dates of illicit sales money was distributed at Nandarani's flat. Again illicit sale took place on 30 -1 -1962. 5 -4 -62, 10 -4 -62, 26 -4 -62, 3 -5 -62 and 9 -5 -1962. On 14 -5 -1962 Gobordhone and Bina came to the office of the R. R. Department and Saha asked Debu to keep watch over them. The challans dated 14 -5 -1962 were signed by Saha and on that night sale proceeds were distributed at Nandarani's flat. The next sale took place on 16 -5 -1962. Signing of challans and selling of petrol also took place on some other dates. Debu was on leave and he told everybody in the office according to the instructions of Saha that he had kept petrol stock book in the al -mirah before going on leave. P.W. 30 Sarat Bose contacted Captain Palit, D. O. D. T. and also Deputy R. R. O. and orders were passed by them to prepare petrol stock book afresh and entered all the invoices in the said book. New stock books were prepared and Deputy R. R. O. for additional precaution directed that in addition to Debu and Saha the challans for the delivery of petrol would signed by P.W. 15 Amar Mullick. The new arrangement for receiving petrol was followed on 6 -6 -1962, 11 -6 -1962 and 13 -6 -1962 and all these dates Amar Mullck signed the challans. On 12 -6 -1962 Debu prepared twenty six confirmation orders and got them signed by Major Brahma. The next illicit sale of petrol took place on 15 -6 -1962. Such things continued on several other dates. Meanwhile, a departmental enquiry was started and Suresh told Debu that he had already denied his signature. Debu denied his signature as advised by Saha. There was a scare in the department for non -receipt of petrol dated 21 -8 -62 which according to the telephonic information given from Budge Budge to the department had already been delivered to the department. Meanwhile Debu made a statement about the illicit sale of petrol to A. R. O. T. Shri Sarkar who took him to the Deputy R. R. O. Shri A. Chatterjee who again took him to R. R. O. at Writers' Buildings and the matter was handed over to the police The investigation was taken up and the file along with papers of the departmental enquiry conducted by Shri Moitra were made over to D. C. (E. B., Calcutta police who handed over the file to Shri P. Chatterjee, the I. O. of this case. The I, O. took notice of the two petitions of complaint filed by Shri A. Chatterjee dated 10 -9 -1962 on the basis of which. F. I. R. was drawn up. Another F. I. R. was drawn upon 12 -2 -1963. The I. O. submitted report. Thereafter, three different cases were started on the basis of three F. I, R. After the completion of investigation, papers were submitted by the I. O. to the relevant department and thereafter the petition of complaint was filed in Court on 21 -9 -1965. The case was allotted to the Special Court by Government. Notification on dated 17 -6 -1965. Charges were framed against all the accused excepting Kalyan Kr. Bose and Kunjabehari Patra who were discharged. All the accused persons were charged Under Section 120B read with Section 491 I.P.C. Besides accused Saha was specifically charged Under Section 409 IPC in respect of criminal breach of trust of consignment of petrol on 26 -7 -1962, 30 -7 -1962, 2 -8 -1962 and 21 -8 -1962. Accused No. 2 Debu was granted pardon Under Section 337 of the Code and he deposed as an approver in support of the prosecution case. All the accused persons pleaded not guilty to the charges and claimed to be pardoned. All the accused persons denied that they had any connection with the sale of illicit petrol. It is their case that they are quite innocent and have been falsely implicated. The learned Judge, on a consideration of the entire evidence on record acquitted some of the accused persons, but convicted all the appellants Under Section 120B read with Section 409 IPC and appellant Saha Under Section 409 IPC in respect of Criminal breach of trust on five occasions. Being aggrieved by the aforesaid order of conviction and sentence the appellants have come up to this Court.
(3.) MR . Dutta, learned Advocate, appearing on behalf of the appellant in Criminal Appeal No. 336 of 1970 points out several infirmities in the prosecution case. In the first place, Mr. Dutta submits that the charge Under Sections 120B/ 409 of the Indian Penal Code is not maintainable as the charge indicates rolled up conspiracy. It has been mentioned that the persons entered into a conspiracy at Calcutta and other places. 17 accused persons have been named in the charge and it has been stated that the accused persons, along with other unknown, between December, 1961 and August, 1962 at Calcutta and other places agreed to do or caused to be done an illegal act .. Mr. Dutta submits that what are the other places have not been mentioned and that being so, the charge suffers from vagueness and such a charge has caused a great prejudice to the accused persons. Again, though it has been said that the accused persons along with others, entered into conspiracy the name of P.W. 2 Debabrata Ghosh who turned approver and who sought to divulge the story of conspiracy in Court was not mentioned in the charge as a person who also entered into the conspiracy. In this connection, it is further submitted by Mr. Dutta that against 7 persons there were allegations of overt act in pursuance of the conspiracy said to have been entered into by the accused persons. But those 7 persons have been acquitted and that being so, it must be said that the prosecution has not succeeded in proving the charge of conspiracy as against Suresh Ch. Saha and other appellants. We find much substance in the argument advanced by Mr. Dutta with regard to the defect in charge and are of opinion that such a charge has caused great prejudice to the appellants.;