Subject: Former Haryana Info Commissioner gets 3 yrs RI for forging & tampering records
Ms Asha Sharma (Ex IAS) aand former IC in the Haryana SIC
has been sentenced to 3 years RI and Rs 2000 fine :
(The complete judgment is attached)
If she could do this as an IAS officer to records pertaining to her own'Mothers property,
just imagine what damage she would have done when she was IC - who has powers to
summon any file from a public authority.
33. With these observations, this court is of the opinion that the
prosecution has established its case beyond all reasonable doubts that accused
Smt.Asha Sharma had tampered the record of estate Office when the same
was delivered to her.
34. The next matter which comes for consideration is to book the
liability of the accused as per the provisions of IPC. The accused, herein, was
handed over the estate office file and she had returned the same after taking
out the original affidavit of Raghbir Singh, joint affidavit of herself, Raj Rani
and Rabinder Singh along with the attested copy of Will of Col.Balwant
Singh and replacing the same with photocopies of the same. Though she has
been charge sheeted under Section 406, 420 IPC, however, the said sections do not comprehend with the Actus reus of the whole incident. But as far as
replacing the attested/ original documents with photocopies is concerned,
certainly the same amounts to diminishing the value and utility of the papers
so as to cause wrongful loss to complainant Smt. Chanderkala, who had
placed reliance upon the said documents to support her claim and has,
thereby, committed mischief with the same, punishable under section 426 of
Indian Penal Code.
35. As far as crossing the draft letter bearing memo no.
38392/RPD/15629/G IV dated 20.11.1995 and crossing the signatures of
Assistant Estate Officer on the correspondence dated 21.7.1995 is concerned
the same is covered within Section 464, secondly clause, IPC, whereby
accused without having any lawful authority dishonestly altered the said
documents and has thereby forged the same. Consequently, for having
canceling the said documents she has certainly made herself liable for
committing forgery of the public record kept by the public servant which is
punishable under Section 466 IPC.
36. As far as the essential ingredients of Section 406,420,468 and 477
IPC , for which the charge has been framed, are concerned, the same have
not been proved by the prosecution. Therefore, the accused is acquitted
thereunder and is held guilty under Section 426 and 466 of IPC. Let she be
heard on the quantum of sentence.
Pronounced in open court
Pronounced on: 01.09.2016 Pavleen Singh
Judicial Magistrate 1st Class,
Chandigarh.
===============================
QUESTION OF SENTENCE
Present: Sh.Loveneesh Mehmi, APP for the state.
Convict Asha Sharma with counsel Sh. Raman Mahajan,
Advocate.
The convict has submitted that she is the first offendor and has
prayed for taking a lenient view for her being an old lady and a senior
IAS officer. APP for the State, however, has controverted the said plea
asserting that strict action be taken against her being an offendor while
being at a very responsible post.
2. Heard the ld. APP for the state and convict in person. Keeping in
view all the facts and circumstances of the case and after hearing the rival
contentions of both the parties, this Court is of the opinion that no leniency
can be granted in such like offences. Further, after giving careful thought to
the prayer so made by the convict viz-a-viz the gravity of the offence proved
to have been committed by her, this court is not inclined to be unduly lenient
towards her for giving her concession of probation. Accordingly, convict
Asha Sharma is, hereby, sentenced to undergo Rigorous imprisonment as
under:-
Sr.no Name of the
Convict
Under
Section
Rigorous
Imprisonment
Fine In default of
payment of fine
simple
imprisonment
1. Asha Sharma 426 IPC
466 IPC
Three months
(R.I.)
Three years
(R.I.)
Rs.1000/-
Rs.1000/-
One month
One month
Pavleen Singh ,JMIC, Chd.
State Vs Asha Sharma 22
3. Period of imprisonment already undergone by the convict during
inquiry, investigation or trial of the case, if any, be set off from the
substantive sentences to be undergone by her. All these sentences shall run
concurrently. Copy of the judgment be supplied to the convict free of cost.
Bail bond, surety bonds of accused and supurdari bonds stand discharged.
Case property be dealt as per rules. File be consigned to the judicial record
room after due compilation.
Pronounced in open court
on:- 01.09.2016 Pavleen Singh
Judicial Magistrate 1st Class,
Chandigarh.
Present: Sh.Lovneesh Mehmi, APP for the state.
Accused on bail assisted by counsel Sh.Raman Mahajan, Adv.
Arguments heard.
Vide separate judgment of even date accused
is convicted and sentenced accordingly. File be consigned to the record room
after due compliance.
Pronounced in open court
on:-01.09.2016
Pavleen Singh
Judicial Magistrate 1st Class,
Chandigarh.
===========
Present : Convict with counsel .
At this stage counsel for the convict moved
applications under Section 389 Cr.P.C. for suspension
of the sentence of the convict. Notice given. Heard. In
view of the reasons mentioned in the application, the
sentence of the convict is suspended upto 30.09.2016
on furnishing bail bonds in sum of Rs.70,000/- with
one surety in the like amount. Requisite bonds
furnished, accepted and attested. Bail bonds be
separated from the file and be put up on 30.09.2016
for further proceedings.