In Brief
Sukh Ram, a Gram Sewak, was convicted of forging loan applications and misappropriating government funds during a 1983–1986 poverty-relief scheme. Villagers claimed they never signed the loan documents or received funds. The trial court acquitted him, doubting evidence from a handwriting expert based on specimen signatures taken by an Executive Magistrate. The High Court reversed this, distinguishing prior case law: specimen signatures willingly given during investigation, combined with direct witness testimony denying their signatures, sufficiently proved forgery under Sections 468 and 471 IPC. The Supreme Court affirmed, holding that the Executive Magistrate's authority to obtain investigation-stage specimens from willing witnesses differs from unlawful direction to an accused. Conviction upheld; bail cancelled; sentence of six months imprisonment confirmed."
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