In the case that was taken up for trial when the Madras High Court assembled this morning [November 20] one Ramaiya Chetty of Ellupur, Ramnad District, pleaded not guilty to the charges that he, on or about the 19th August last, committed the offences of falsely personating himself to be one Chokalinga Chetty of Devakotta and thereby cheating the telegraphic money order peon Rangasamy Mudaly by inducing him to deliver to him (accused) the money order of Rs. 50 received to the address of Chokalinga Chetty at 252 Thambu Chetty Street, Madras, and of committing forgery by forging the name of Chokalinga Chettiar in the money order receipt. The following Jury was empaneled to try the case: Mr. K. Subramania Iyer (Foreman) and Messrs D. Gabriel, J.P. Lewis, K. Sanjeeva Rao, T. Rathna Mudaliar, A.V. Rajabadar Mudaliar, D.N. Somaiyajalu, A.D. Charles and T.E. Dixon. Mr. Thoroton, Bar-at-Law with Mr. T.C.A. Ananthalvan defended the accused.
In opening the case for the prosecution the Crown Prosecutor explained the circumstances under which the offences were committed and proceeded to examine the witnesses for the prosecution.
After the examination of the prosecution witnesses was over the statement of the accused in the lower Court was read before the Jury. Then the defence witnesses were examined.
After counsel for the defence and the Crown Prosecutor had addressed the Jury His Lordship delivered his charge to the Jury.
The Jury after some consultation brought in a unanimous verdict of guilty of forgery, cheating, etc., against the accused. His Lordship sentenced the accused to six months’ rigorous imprisonment and to pay a fine of Rs. 50 and in default to undergo rigorous imprisonment for a further term of six weeks.
