1993-94 graft case: PK Thungon gets 3 and half yrs jail

Former Union minister PK Thungon was on Monday awarded a three-and-a half-year jail term in a graft case relating to allotment of government shops here during 1993-94. Apart from the jail term, special CBI judge Sanjeev Aggarwal also imposed a fine of Rs one lakh on Thungon, who was also a former chief minister of Arunachal Pradesh.

The court has convicted Thungon for the offences under section 120B (criminal conspiracy) of IPC read with section 13d(iii)(if while holding office as a public servant, obtains for any person any valuable thing or pecuniary advantage without any public interest) and 13(2) (criminal misconduct by public servant) of the Prevention of Corruption Act. The court, however, acquitted two other accused –Lakhpa Tsering and Krishna –in the case.

Thungon was the Minister of State for Urban Affairs and Employment at the time of the alleged offence when Congress government was led by Prime Minister PV Narsimha Rao.

Apart from them, then Urban Affairs and Employment Minister Sheila Kaul, and one Tulsi Balodi were also accused in the case. Proceedings against Kaul and Balodi were abated as they died during the pendency of trial. The court, however, has also found Kaul guilty in the case for conspiring and committing the illegal act.

“Vide separate judgment..., it was found that there was a clear cut conspiracy between accused 1 (deceased Kaul) and accused 2 (Thungon) for committing the illegal act or to commit the offence punishable under the provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act.

“Since accused Sheila Kaul has already expired and the proceedings against her has stood abated, therefore only accused P K Thungon stands convicted under the 120B (criminal conspiracy) of IPC read with the provisions of the PC Act,” the judge has said.