44-yr RI for govt officer

Thrissur, Kerala, Mar 30 (UNI) Thrissur Vigilance judge P Q Berkkathali today sentenced an upper division clerk of the Kunnamkulam Municipal office K K Mohandas to 44 years Rigorous Imprisonment and slapped a fine of Rs three lakh for misappropriating Municipal funds in two cases.

The judge also ruled to undergo six years rigorous imprisonment, if he failed to remit the fine. However, Mohandas would have to undergo only ten-year rigorous imprisonment since the punishments have been awarded under various sections.

According to the prosecution, Mohandas misappropriated Rs 1,12,102 by collecting licence fees from the market shop owners by giving illicit receipts, auctioning municipal tea stall and creating fraudulence in electricity bills, while he was working during the period from April four, 1996 to July two, 1997.

UNI