JUDGMENT

Dr. Anand, J.-This batch of appeals by special leave arise out of the Judgment and Order of the High Court of Andhra Pradesh dated 27.11.1991. The appellants in these appeals are Executive Engineers. Daputy Executive Engineers. Sectiton Officers and Contractors of Nellore North Division. Netlore South Division and Gandipalem Project Division. They alongwith a Superintending Engineer (since dead) and various contractors were tried for offences under Sections 120-8,420/34, 377A/34 IPC and Section 5(2) read with Section 5(l)(d) of the Prevention of Corruption Act and of being found guilty were sentenced to different terms of imprisonment for the said offences. The circumstances under which the cases arose are :

2: A Call Attention Motion was moved in the Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly in 1981 alleging large scale fraud, irregularities and illegalities committed in the execution of jungle clearance work by the engineers and contractors in various divisions of Nellore District during 1978-1981. Consequent upon the Call Attention Motion, the Government directed the then Deputy Engineer-in -Chief. Shri L.R. Kapoor PW, to examine and inquire into the allegations. He visited Nel