The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh / Hyderabad News : Ex-MLA convicted in forgery case

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Wednesday, Nov 11, 2009
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Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

Ex-MLA convicted in forgery case

Staff Reporter

In collusion with a hospital employee, he produced fake bills to claim medical reimbursement

Ex-MLA of Kaikaluru, employee of private hospital pay fine and secure bail
M. Suryachander Rao of Krishna district had filed PIL in High Court seeking action against him

HYDERABAD: A local court here on Tuesday sentenced ex-MLA of Kaikaluru constituency and an employee of a private hospital to three-year imprisonment holding them guilty in a case of cheating, forgery and criminal conspiracy.

The convicted former legislator Y. Raja Ramchander and Veeraswamy, an employee of billing section of a private hospital, paid Rs. 11,000 fine each imposed by the court and secured bail after furnishing sureties. Mr. Ramchander got elected as MLA from Kaikaluru constituency of Krishna district first time in the by-election held in 1993 on TDP ticket but lost to Congress candidate in the general elections of 1994. He won consecutively for two times in 1999 and 2004 as independent and on Congress ticket respectively, but lost in this general election having contested on Congress ticket.

He underwent by-pass surgery on June 13, 1998 when he was not legislator, the police said. According to police, Ramchander colluded with Veeraswamy and secured fabricated medical bills and documents pretending that he was operated on in June 2000. He secured nearly Rs. 4.15 lakh towards medical reimbursement from the government by submitting the fake bills. A person from Krishna district, M. Suryachander Rao, filed public interest litigation in the High Court seeking action against him. A criminal case was registered against Ramchander following the court direction. The investigation was assigned to the Crime Investigation Department.

Even as the trial was on, the State government issued orders twice withdrawing criminal cases against him. Based on the GOs, the public prosecutor filed withdrawal petitions, but the trial court dismissed them. The High Court too upheld the lower court’s order. Meanwhile, the former MLA moved the Supreme Court seeking an order staying the criminal proceedings. But the Supreme Court declined to issue stay order and directed the Sixth Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Court to expedite trial of the case. The court on Tuesday sentenced the duo to three-year jail term.

“Lack of proficiency in English made me sign those bills. I will move the High Court seeking justice,” he said speaking to reporters outside the court. The prosecution was conducted by Ajay Kompally, prosecutor of the CID.

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