V.K. Sharma, J. As all the above titled three appeals arise out of a single judgment/order dated 24.9.2001/12.10.2001, rendered by the learned Special Judge (Forest), Shimla, Himachal Pradesh in Corruption Case No. 18-S/7 of 93/89, titled State of Himachal Pradesh Versus Smt. Shakuntla Kochhar and others, these are being disposed of by this common judgment.

2. As many as ten accused, namely, M.L. Kochhar, B.L. Kochhar, Adarsh Mohan, Smt. Shakuntla Kochhar (A-1); Bhau Singh (A-2); Kahana Singh (A-3); Balak Ram Negi (A-4); J.K. Sharma, Prith Pal Singh and Gian Chand Sharma (A-5), were charge sheeted for commission of offences under Sections 465, 467, 468, 471, 420, 218, 167, 447 and 120-B of the Indian Penal Code (in short ‘IPC’), Section 81 of the Indian Registration Act (for short ‘Registration Act’) and Section 5 (2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1947 (‘PC Act’). However, consequent upon death of accused M.L. Kochhar, B.L. Kochhar, Adarsh Mohan and Prith Pal Singh during pendency of the trial, the case against them stood abated. The proceedings against accused J.K. Sharma stood quashed, pursuant to the judgment dated 21 .6.1994, passed by this court in Cr. M.P(M)