Third accused sole cause for entire episode: Judge

By Our Special Correspondent

CHENNAI, DEC. 14. In his judgement in the `ATC scam case', the Special Judge-II, Mr.S.S.P.Darwesh, today found the third accused, Mr.Natarajan of Gobichettipalayam, to be the sole cause for the entire episode.

For this, the Judge said besides sentencing him to five years R.I and Rs.10,000 each under two counts and four years and Rs.5,000 as fine under another count, which would run concurrently, he was awarding a separate three-year sentence and Rs.3,000 fine under Sec. 8 PCA which would run consecutively.

Another accused, Mr. Ezhil, was convicted under three counts. The sentences would run concurrently. He was acquitted of the charge under section 7 PCA.

The Judge asked why private letters were sent to seven printers when it was decided to call for open tenders for printing fare tickets in 1995-96. The uniform quotation by the seven printers of Rs.910 (for a bundle) for town buses was accepted.

Referring to the defence argument that the printers had justified the hike in printing rates by quoting the increase in the raw material cost, the Judge said the president of Tamil Nadu Ticket Printers Association (TNTPA) had deposed that on former M.D Paramasivam's request, he instructed the printers to write to ATC requesting an increase in printing rates, mentioning the reasons given by M.D. Accordingly, letters were written. Thus the defence argument could not be accepted.

The TNTPA president had also informed all printers to compulsorily present gifts for Mr.Sengottaiyan son's wedding reception. ``What more evidence can be required to prove the charge against Mr.Sengottaiyan?'', the Judge asked.

Evidence showed that prior to Paramasivam, his predecessor, Mr.Krishnan, used to make purchases through open tenders. But Paramasivam did not call for tenders, but prepared and gave a `list of suppliers'. He went on adding or deleting or altering the firms in the list according to instructions from Mr. Sengottaiyan, Mr. Natarajan and sometimes Mr. Ezhil.

The purchase committee members were compelled by Paramasivam to accept his decisions for placing orders with firms which had no infrastructure and SSI certificate, the Judge said.

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Section  : Southern States
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