Four years RI for former AIADMK Minister in JTC case

The judge awarded sentences ranging from two to four years’ RI on several counts. The sentences would run concurrently, he said.

The prosecution had framed 13 charges against the accused. It said that they had committed irregularities of Rs 2 crore in the purchase of bus body kits, seat assemblies, spare parts and in the printing of bus fare tickets. They had, thereby, committed offences punishable under Sections 120-B (criminal conspiracy), 409 (criminal breach of trust) and 109 (abetment), IPC, and under Sections 13(2) read with 13(I)(C) and (D) and 7 and 9 of the PCA.

The judge also wondered why orders were placed for supply of bus body kits and seat assemblies with private companies which did not have the infrastructural facilities, when the facilities were available with JTC itself, the judge said.

He was amazed that limited tender system was adopted instead of open tender system, which resulted in huge loss to the JTC.

The judge, however, held that the charge under Section 120-B IPC was not proved against the accused. There was no evidence on record to show that the three had conspired to perform an illegal act, he said.

As regards purchase of spare parts, there was no evidence to show that the accused had demanded commission, the judge said in the 195-page judgement.

The judge said in the case, Sengottaiyan, a former minister, swindled about Rs 2 crore with the help of another public servant (Veerappan) and another person, Natarajan, by flouting all rules and regulations in the administration of proceedings and caused losses to the JTC.

The accused were taken in a police van to Vellore Central Prison in the afternoon. Sengottaiyan now cannot contest elections for the next six years, since the imprisonment period exceeds two years.