JUDGMENT :

The writ petitioner is Accused No.13 in the case C.C.No.32/2003 pending in the Court of the Enquiry Commissioner and Special Judge, Thrissur.

2. There are altogether 13 accused in the case. The offences alleged against them are punishable under Sections 13(1)(c) and 13(1) (d) read with 13(2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 and also under Sections 409, 471, 477A and 120B of the Indian Penal Code.

3. Accused 1 to 11 were the office-bearers of the Indian Coffee Board Workers Co-operative Society Limited No.4227 (hereinafter referred to as 'the Society'). Accused No.12 is a contractor. Accused No.13, the petitioner herein, was the Managing Partner of the establishment by name M/s. Enarc Consultants, Architects and Engineers.

4. The final report against the accused was filed in the Special Court by the Dy.S.P, Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau (VACB), Thrissur. The charge against the accused, as stated in the final report, is that Accused 1 to 11 hatched a criminal conspiracy during the period 1996-1998 with Accused Nos. 12 and 13 and pursuant to such conspiracy, entrusted the construction work of the new restaurant building of the Society and the renovation work of