Forged cheque-racket unearthed in TN

THANJAVUR, August 3: A racket in forging signatures of no less a person than the District Judge himself, on cheques, and drawing money purpotedly for accident victims, has come to light in this temple town. The matter was brought to notice when verification at a State Bank of India branch revealed two cheques bearing the same number, and, when contacted, the District Judge denied having issued the cheques. One cheque was for Rs 3,05,000 and the oother for a sum of Rs 2.24 lakh. Police said the network involved several groups–one to plan the operation, another to forge the signatures and a third to draw money using the forged cheques. (Accident victims or their next of kin are issued compensation amounts after the conclusion of court cases by means of cheques bearing the signature of the District Judge and the seal of the court).