Customs employees awarded RI;to appeal in higher court

Coochbehar, Dec 18 (UNI) Seven Customs employees, who were awarded three-years rigorous imprisonment by a local court would appeal in a higher court against the judgement.

The seven, including three Inspectors, were handed down the sentence yesterday in connection with the robbery of an antique idol from the district in 1994.

The accused's plea for bail, to enable them to appeal in a higher court, was granted by the CJM against a bond of Rs 4,000 each.

Earlier, the court had convicted 13 people, including the seven Customs employees, in 2001 and 11 of them had appealed to Calcutta High Court which ordered a reinvestigation.

Yesterday, the lower court found 11 of them guilty and awarded rigorous imprisonment to seven. One person had died, another was released and two others, including the prime accused, remained absconding.

UNI