Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, July 10: Sub-Judge Jammu Pawan Sharma has rejected the bail application of Rakesh Kumar, an employee of the Jammu and Kashmir Academy of Art, Culture and Languages, who has withdrawn Rs 12,23,900 by fraud from official account.
After hearing APP Puja Nijhon for the UT whereas Advocate Vinod Kumar Sharma for the applicant, the court observed, “applicant is working in public office and hence his responsibility is more than others. He has withdrawn a huge sum by forging signatures”, adding “the offence carries punishment up to 7 years and fine. There are also chances that accused can influences the witnesses who could be his colleagues working in same office”.
“The fact that the public money has not been recovered is also a factor which goes against the accused as such he deserves no leniency”.
While rejecting the bail application, court expressed dissatisfaction over progress of investigation made and said, “the money has not been recovered so far and no effective steps have been taken by the Investigating Officer to conclude the investigation and also trace the other accused in the case”.
“It appears to be unbelievable that money was withdrawn at regular intervals over a period of 8 months but the concerned DDO/office-in charge failed to check the fraud being committed in the office. In these circumstances, SHO PS Gandhi Nagar is directed to supervise the investigation properly and even may hand over the investigation to some competent officer so that truth comes out”, the court said.
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