Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Aug 31: 1st Additional Sessions Judge Jammu MA Chowdhary today awarded four years imprisonment and fine of Rs 2 lakh to Rajinder Nath Raina, the then Executive Engineer, for forging his date of birth.
As per the communication No. CE/PMM/Acctts/5746-48 dated 18.11.2002 sent by Chief Engineer (Procurement & Material Management) Power Development Department to Inspector General of Police Crime & Railways, audit party of Accountant General while conducting audit of his office had pointed out that date of birth recorded in the service book of Rajinder Nath Raina, Executive Engineer/Technical Officer seems to have been obliterated.
The audit observation was shared with the State Board of School Education for clarification on the Matriculation Certificate of the retired officer including date of birth and the Joint Secretary (Verification) State Board of School Education confirmed that the date of birth of the officer as 26.07.1942 instead of 26.07.1944 as recorded in the service book of the officer.
On the receipt of clarification the matter was referred to the Administrative Department for further necessary action which in turn vide letter No. PDD-V/36/96 dated 21.10.2002 asked for referring the matter to the Crime Branch for investigation to ascertain the actual date of birth of retired Executive Engineer.
During investigation, it was concluded that actual date of birth of Rajinder Nath Raina was 26.07.1942 and the entry of date of birth has been interpolated to 26.07.1944. The samples of writing of Rajinder Nath Raina were taken and sent to FSL for comparison along with his service book and FSL reported that date of birth has been tampered.
By tampering the date of birth, Rajinder Nath Raina had drawn an amount of Rs 5,20,774 from the public exchequer whereas as per actual date of birth he was to retire on 31.07.2000 and a charge-sheet for the commission of offences punishable under Sections 420/467/468/471 RPC was laid against Rajinder Nath Raina, son of Bhaskar Nath Raina of Karan Nagar.
After hearing APP Ajay Singh Manhas appearing for the State whereas Advocate CS Azad appearing for the accused, 1st Additional Sessions Judge observed, “in view of the protracted trial this court is of the considered opinion that it would be appropriate that the accused is sentenced to four years of imprisonment and fine of Rs 2,00,000 for commission of offence”.
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