Appeal dismissed as abated due to appellant's death and lack of interest from legal heirs.

JUDGMENT

Dated this the 27^th day of February, 2026 The 4^th accused in C.C. No.38/2011 on the Special Court (SPE/CBI), Thiruvananthapuram, has filed this appeal under Section 374 (1) of the Code of Criminal Procedure , 1973, challenging the conviction and sentence imposed upon him by the learned Special Judge, as per the judgment dated 09.03.2017.

2. The learned counsel for the appellant would submit that, the appellant/4^th accused is no more. According to him, the legal heirs of the appellant/4^th accused are not interested to proceed with the matter and therefore, this appeal may be closed.

3. The learned Public Prosecutor submitted that the appellant/4^th accused is no more and she has placed copy of death certificate. The same is appended in the case bundle.

4. Since the legal heirs of the accused are not interested to proceed with this appeal, involving imposition of fine of Rs.1,50,000/- also, this appeal stands dismissed as abated, with liberty to the prosecution to proceed against the assets left by the 4^th accused to realize Rs.1,50,000/-.

It is made clear that, the legal heirs of the appellant/4^th accused, who inherited the properties of the appellant, are aggrieved in the matter of realization of fine, they are at liberty to approach this Court by moving appropriate proceedings, as per law.

Sd/-