Judgment

RAMASWAMI, J. : This appeal is brought by special leave from the judgment of the Andhra Pradesh High Court dated 23-3-1967 in Criminal Appeals Nos. 297, 298, 299 and 300 of 1965 preferred by respondents 1 to 4 whereby the High Court allowed the said appeals, set aside the judgment of the Sessions Court and acquitted the respondents.

2. In the Co-operative Central Bank, Srikakulam, accused No. 1 Satya Rao and accused No. 2 Prasada Rao were working as clerks while accused No. 4 Mohan Rao was a peon. The Co-operative Central Bank has four branches one of which is at Sompet. The Branch Office has a manager, a clerk, a shroff and one peon and a night watcher. Till September 30, 1964 Sri V. S. Venkateswarlu was the Branch Manager of the Bank at Sompeta. He went on leave with effect from October 1, 1964. In his place accused No. 1 was posted to act as Branch manager, Sompeta. Accused No. 1 took charge as Branch Manager with effect from October 1, 1964 from Venkateswarlu. The case of the prosecution is that while accused No. 1 was at the headquarters he came to know that the accused No. 4 was in the habit of practising signatures of the Secretary of the Bank. A conspiracy for cheati