ORDER :

The petitioners are before this Court calling in question the order dated 06-05-2013, passed by the Principal District and Sessions Judge and Special Judge, Shivamogga in Crime No.2 of 2013 (PCR No.1/2013), for offences punishable under Section 13(1)(d)(i)(ii)(iii) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 read with Sections 166, 120(b), 403, 406, 409, 417, 420, 427 and 477(a) of the IPC.

2. Brief facts leading to the filing of the present petition, as borne out from the pleadings, are as follows:-

The petitioners were Officers in different capacities in Mysore Paper Mills (‘the Company’ for short), a State Government undertaking. The 1st petitioner was working in the Company for the period from 26-02-2009 to 27-05-2010 as its Managing Director. The 2nd petitioner was working as General Manger (Finance) from 15-10-2009 and has ceased to be an officer of the Company on account of his resignation on 31-01-2011. The 3rd petitioner has retired from service on attaining the age of superannuation on 31-01-2013.

3. In the year 2007 a report was placed before the 13th Legislative Meeting in relation to the steps to be taken by the Company for implementing a report dated 15-11-2007. Th