ORDER

The petitioners are the accused in Crime No.454 of 2022 registered by the Thampanoor Police Station, Thiruvananthapuram, for allegedly committing the offences punishable under Sections 420 , 406, 468 and 120B read with Section 34 of Indian Penal Code .

2. The gist of the prosecution case is that, the 2^nd respondent had availed an insurance policy from the Life Insurance Corporation of India (‘LIC’ for brevity) on 28.12.2005 for an assured value of Rs.2,00,000/-, on payment of an annual premium of Rs.22,667/-. The policy was due to mature on 28.12.2020. Even though the 2^nd respondent paid premium for four years, the accused paid the 2^nd respondent only Rs.26,800/- towards the maturity value. Thus, the accused persons have committed the above offences.

3. I have heard the learned Counsel for the petitioners, the learned Public Prosecutor and the learned Counsel appearing for the 2^nd respondent.

4. The learned Counsel for the petitioners submit that, it is not disputed that the 2^nd respondent had availed an insurance policy from the LIC for an assured value of Rs.2,00,000/-. However, the 2^nd respondent had paid premium for four years at the rate of Rs.22,667/- for each year. Aft