Hyderabad: The Telangana High Court has agreed to extend time to the state and central governments on steps taken by them for inmates at protective homes and corrective institutions in Telangana. The High Court was dealing with a writ plea filed by Prajwala, who challenged the inaction of state in framing guidelines at such institutions thereby distinguishing a person rescued under the Act as a victim or a trafficker and also dealing with post-rescue violence by persons rescued and taken into interim custody under Section 17 of the Act. The petitioner sought police protection to the institutions in the event of law and order problems reported by them, more particularly the home run by the petitioner. The petitioner inter alia also sought a direction to forthwith establish corrective institutions under Section 21 of the Immoral Traffic Prevention Act 1956 Act. Senior counsel L. Ravichander pointed out that the issue on hand should not be perceived as adversarial. He pointed out that the response from the state government has left more questions. He complained that private institutions are bearing the statutory burden while statutory authorities are fighting shy of establishing systemic protocols and infrastructure. The judge accordingly directed the union and the state governments to file detailed counter affidavits answering specific core issues raised by the petitioner. The judge accordingly posted the matter to September 2.
Telangana HC Rejects Sukesh Gupta's Quash Petition in MMTC Frau
Hyderabad: The Telangana High Court recently dismissed a quash petition filed by Sukesh Gupta, director of MBS Jewellers, in connection with duping Mineral and Metal Trading Corporation (MMTC) with regard to gold transactions in connivance with its officials and by submitting a colour xerox copy of five acres land in Hydernagar as security, and obtaining loan from banks by depositing original title deeds.
Justice K. Sujana dismissed Gupta’s plea for quashing criminal proceedings against him by the CBI in 2015, which are pending before the CBI Court at Hyderabad in the trial stage.
The allegations against Gupta was that by 2011, he had caused loss to MMTC to a tune of `194.4 crore, in connivance with its officials. Debit/credit notes of huge amounts were passed without any narration after MMTC officials prepared the fudge. The false loan account concealed the outstanding amount pertaining to MBS.
Further, 500 kg gold was taken from Standard Chartered Bank, London, as 90-day supplier's credit. It was issued to MBS Group in January 2012. To offset the liability against this transaction, MMTC Hyderabad made outright gold sales to other parties and the money collected was utilised to repay the earlier outstanding loans of MBS. For outright gold sales, buyer's credit was taken in MMTC'S account, thereby deferring the payment obligation. MMTC's own funds amounting to `37 crore was utilized, source of which could not be traced.
The CBI’s investigation revealed that though the outstanding amount of MBS was under-reported as `43.44 crore, officials allowed the colour photocopy of the said land documents. The MMTC is now in possession of colour photocopy of original title deed, which is in the name of MMTC and is registered in the sub-registrar office, Kukatpally.
The chargesheet was filed for the offences under Sections 120-B, 409, 420, 465, 471, 477-A of IPC and under Section 13 (2) r/w.13 (1) & (d) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 and under Section 65 of the IT Act.
Justice Sujana rejected Gupta’s quash petition and observed that the chargesheet clearly showed that there were fictitious entries in MMTC books of accounts and ledgers of the MBS group.
