WB: 7 customs employees awarded RI

Coochbehar, Dec 18: The Chief Judicial Magistrate's court of Coochbehar has awarded three years rigorous improsionment to seven Customs employees, including three Inspectors, in connection with the robbery of an antique idol from the district in 1994.

The seven accused, however, pleaded for bail to appeal in Calcutta High Court, which was granted against a bond of Rs 4,000 each.

The court had convicted 13 persons, including the seven Customs employees, in 2001 and 11 of them had appealed to the High Court.

The court yesterday found 11 of them guilty and awarded rigorous imprisonment to seven persons of the 11 convicted, while one had died, one was released and two other, including the prime accused, remained absconding.

UNI