JUDGMENT :

Rang Nath Pandey, J.

1. Since common questions of facts are involved in the appeals, therefore, all the appeals have been heard together and are being decided by this common judgment.

2. Heard Sri P.K. Rai, learned Counsel for the appellants appearing on behalf of the appellants-Indresh Prasad Yadav, Mayank Tripathi, Rakesh Kumar and Narain Singh as well as Sri S.B. Pandey, learned Assistant, Solicitor General of India appearing on behalf of the respondent.

3. This Criminal Appeal under Section 374(2), Cr.P.C. has been filed against the judgment and order dated 20.08.2013 passed by learned Special Judge, Prevention of Corruption, C.B.I. (west), Lucknow in Criminal Case No. 20 of 1999 (C.B.I. v. Mayank Tripathi and others), arising out of R.C. No. 14, 15(A), 16(A), 17(A), 18(A)/98/C.B.I./Lucknow, under Sections 120-B/420, 467, 468 and 471 of the Indian Penal Code and Section 13(1)(d) read with Section 13(2) of Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, whereby the appellants, namely, Indresh Prasad Yadav, Mayank Tripathi, Rakesh Kumar and Narain Singh have been convicted and sentenced as under:-

(i) Under Section 120, I.P.C. read with Section 420 I.P.C.- Rigorous imprisonment for a p