V. Ramakumar, J.

These appeals filed under Section 374 (2) Criminal Procedure Code arise out of the common judgment dated 28-4-2000 on the file of the Court of the Special Judge (SPE/CBI) - 1, Ernakulam (hereinafter referred to as the "Special Court" in C.C. Nos. 9, 10 and 11 of 1993. Two of the accused in two of the aforesaid C.C. Cases are common. In C.C. 9 of 1993 there were three accused persons and in C.C. Nos. 10 and 11 of 1993 there were two accused persons. The first accused in all the three cases namely Joseph Alappatt is a common accused. The appeals filed by the said common first accused in C.C. Nos. 9, 10 and 11 of 1993 are Crl.Appeals 307, 315 and 316 of 2000. Crl. Appeal 304 of 2000 is filed by the 2nd accused (H. Vahab) in C.C. 9 of 1993. Crl.Appeal No. 295 of 2000 is filed by the 3rd accused (Rajeevan) in C.C. 9 of 1993). Crl.A. 305 of 2000 is filed by the 2nd accused (K. Thajudheen @ Thaju) in C.C. 10 of 1993. Crl.A. 296 of 2000 is filed by the 2nd accused (Rajeevan) in C.C. 11 of 1993.

PROSECUTION CASE IN C.C. 9 OF 1993

2. The case of the prosecution in C.C. 9 of 1993 is as follows:-

A1 (Joseph Alappatt) was working as the Manager of the Quilon Branch of the