JUDGMENT :

Sandeep Sharma, J.

Above captioned Criminal appeals, lay challenge to judgments dated 11.4.2000, 31.07.2019 and 01.08.2019 passed by learned Special Judge(Forests) Shimla, Himachal Pradesh in Corruption case No.34-S/7 of 88/86, Session Trial RBT Nos. 40-S/7 of 1988/86, 35-S/7 of 1988/86, 36-S/7 of 1988/86, 37-S/7 of 1988/86, 38-S/7 of 1988/86, 39-S/7 of 1988/86, 41-S/7 of 1988/86 and 42-S/7 of 1988/86, respectively, whereby all the respondents (hereinafter referred to as the accused), came to be acquitted of the charges framed against them under Sections 379 , 411, 420, 467, 468, 471, 218, 167 of IPC, Sections 41 , 42 of Indian FOREST ACT , Section 5 (2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1947 and Section 12 of H.P. Forest Produce (Regulation of Trade) Act, 1982 read with Section 12 0-B of IPC.

2. Though, nine number of FIRs, in total, were registered against the accused and separate trials were conducted in all the FIRs, but since facts leading to lodging of FIR are common in all the cases, as detailed hereinabove’ and same were decided on the basis of one set of evidence in terms of order dated 24.08.1987 passed in Cr. Appeal No.40/1987, which was further upheld by Hon'