JUDGMENT

Dr. B.S. Chauhan, J.

1. The present appeals have been filed against the judgment and order of the Allahabad High Court dated 20.12.2001 passed in Criminal Contempt No. 69 of 1997, convicting the appellants for not complying with the directions issued by this Court in D.K. Basu Vs. State of West Bengal AIR 1997 SC 610, and sentencing them for six months’ imprisonment and also imposing a fine to the tune of Rs.2000/- each. Further, direction has been issued to the State Government to terminate the services of the appellants after holding disciplinary proceedings.

2. The facts and circumstances giving rise to the present appeals are that one Ramwati lodged an FIR dated 01.06.1997 in the Police Station Kotwali Ghaziabad with an allegation that her son Tej Veer Singh @ Pappu, a man of absolutely clear antecedents, never involved in any criminal case, who was running a sweet mart shop, was going to Allahabad by Prayagraj Express on 29.05.1997. He was apprehended by Deep Chand, Sub-Inspector of Police, posted at Police Station, Sector 24, Noida and Constable Ramesh Chandra, posted in the office of Superintendent of Police (R.A.) Ghaziabad along with some other policemen, from Shya