( 1 ) THE challenge in these petitions is to the order dated 7. 11. 1998 passed by thespecial Judge. New Delhi In CC No. 1998 directing framing of charges under Section. s420/409/ 120-BIPC against the petitioners. These petitions are being disposed of bythis common order.

( 2 ) THE facts of the case have been detailed in the impugned order and it is notnecessary for. me to repeat the same over and again, yet a brief sketch of it is necessaryto appreciate the contentions raised by the parties. In 1995, the accused personsentered into a criminal conspiracy amongst themselves the object of which was todefraud the National Fertilizers Limited (for short the NFL) and swindle a. whoppingsum of Rs. l33 crores. In furtherance of the said conspiracy, a contract for the supplyof 200000 M. T. urea worth 38 million US dollars was awarded to a Turkish companyknown as M/s. KARSAN and the entire amount was paid to the said company withoutgetting even an ounce of urea in return. Out of the defrauded amount, the accusedtuncay Alankus paid substantial amount to the accused persons as illegal kickbacks. When the print media highlighted the large dimensions of the said fraud, the m