S.D.Bajaj, J.

1. While posted as Sub Postmaster in Post Office, Ramsara of Ferozepur district, accused-respondent Babu Lal is said to have embezzled a sum of Rs. 18,700/- from three Saving Bank Account Nos. 990323, 990329 and 990330 in the Post Office in the name of Om Parkash PW2, Chuni Lal PW3 and Harjit Kaur PW1 respectively during the period June, 1983 to 2nd April, 1984. Since the prosecution against the accused respondent was launched before the learned trial court in criminal case Nos. 63/2 on 23rd July, 1985 without obtaining sanction for prosecuting him, learned trial Court acquitted him on 30th January, 1989.

2. State of Punjab has filed Criminal Appeal No. 401-DBA of 1989 against the acquittal of accused-respondent aforesaid. Leave to appeal was granted by a Division Bench of this Court on 18th September, 1989.

3. We have heard Shri D.N. Rampal, Advocate for the State-appellant, Shri S.C. Chhabra, Advocate for the respondent-accused and have carefully gone through the evidence on record.

4. out of the amount of Rs. 18,700/- allegedly embezzled by respondent-accused a sum of Rs. 5,000/- was deposited by him in Post Office, Abohar, on 23rd May, 1984. Another amount