The concern over rising pollution level in the national capital has led a Delhi court to direct two convicts in a graft case to deposit Rs 35 lakh fine with the Pollution Control Committee as a "small symbolic step" for amelioration of pollution conditions here.
The court said the convicts should pay back compensation to the society at large which should be utilized to control the "spiraling pollution which is bleeding the residents of Delhi at present, which is the need of the hour".
Special CBI Judge Sanjeev Aggarwal passed the judgement while convicting and awarding varying jail terms of one to three years to the three convicts, including two women.
"Out of the fine of Rs 44 lakhs imposed upon accused no. 1 and 2, Rs 35 lakhs be deposited with the Delhi Pollution Control Committee for the amelioration of pollution conditions in Delhi... Which though a very small symbolic step, yet will be of some help in the said movement, as said Neil Armstrong 'that one small step for a man, one giant leap for mankind'," the court said.
The court, in its 254-page judgement, sentenced 66-year- old Rita Singh and 44-year-old Natasha Singh Sinha, both directors of private firm Mideast (India) Ltd, the then public servant 73-year-old Y V Luthra to two, three and one year imprisonment.
The court, however, allowed their pleas to suspend their sentence and granted bail for two months for enabling them file an appeal against the judgement before the higher court.
They were held guilty under various provisions of IPC relating to cheating, conspiracy, forgery and under Prevention of Corruption Act.
"Why should society bear the cost of such convicts who did not commit the crime out of passion, need, or poverty but out of sheer greed for more money at the expense of public financial institutions/public insurance company. They should compensate the society in some measure to redeem themselves.
"...I am of the considered opinion in the facts of the case, they should pay back some compensation to the society at large, which should be utilized to control the spiraling pollution which is bleeding the residents of Delhi at present, which is the need of the hour," the judge said.
(Reopen LGD28)
According to CBI, being the directors of the firm, Rita and Natasha and Manager (Technical), Industrial Finance Corporation of India Ltd (IFCI) Luthra had entered into a criminal conspiracy in 1995 and 1996 and committed the crime.
It had alleged that the two women had fraudulently obtained insurance claim of Rs 6.98 crore from United India Insurance Company by submitting fake or forged 'No objection certificate' purportedly issued by Luthra.
During the trial, Rita and Natasha claimed that it was a false case instituted against them and that no loss was caused to IFCI or to the insurance company. Luthra also claimed innocence in the case.
