HC orders fresh probe in case involving forged signature of

The Madras High Court today ordered the poilce here to reopen a complaint that a city-based financier was cheated Rs 62 lakh by two persons who produced papers with forged signatures of the then Delhi Chief Minister Shiela Dixit and fake seals of central government to support their claim of being awarded a government project.
Justice K B K Vasuki, before whom a petition by the finance firm came up for admission, said since the complaint showed serious allegations it required to be probed afresh.
Though the authorities say an inquiry was conducted and the complaint closed, the report produced before the court reveals that no due inquiry was conducted into the serious allegations raised herein, she said in her order.

Petitioner Galada Finance submitted that it gave Rs 62 lakh in five installments to one Rishabraj Challani and Sheila Raju, who claimed that they had bagged the Centre's contract for Mudrarika project meant for promoting handicraft in the country in May 2010.
The company's counsel Abbudu Kumar Rajarathinam said they also furnished a signed document containing the then Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dixit's signature and seals of government of India every time the loan was released.
When the duo failed to repay the amount, he lodged a complaint with the central crime branch pointing out forgery, cheating and threat issued to him by the duo.

As no FIR was registered by the City Crime Branch, he filed the present petition.
The Judge said "this court is inclined to direct the respondent-officials to reopen the case and deal with the complaint in a manner known to law and in the light of the directions issued by the Supreme Court in the Lalita Kumari case.
The apex court ruling mandates police to register an FIR if the complaint reveals commission of any cognizable offence.