In a significant verdict, a court in Erode has handed down five-year prison sentences to a man and a woman for orchestrating a fraudulent scheme that duped a government job aspirant of a substantial sum of money. The judicial magistrate court also imposed a fine on the convicted individuals, bringing a measure of justice to the victim after a prolonged legal battle.
The Promise of a Government Job and the Financial Loss
The case revolved around S Praveena, a 31-year-old resident of Karungalpalayam in Erode, who was actively seeking a government job. During her search, she became acquainted with Vijayalakshmi, a 44-year-old woman from the same locality. Vijayalakshmi introduced Praveena to John Moorthy, 47, from Dindigul district, presenting him as someone with the connections to secure a coveted government position.
Trusting their assurances, Praveena paid the duo a total of Rs 2.4 lakh with the expectation that they would facilitate her employment. However, as time passed, no job materialized, revealing the promises to be entirely false and leaving Praveena both financially and emotionally devastated.
From Police Inaction to High Court Intervention
After realizing she had been cheated, Praveena took the first legal step by filing a formal complaint with the Karungalpalayam police. Unfortunately, her plea for justice initially hit a roadblock as the local police did not register a case based on her complaint. Undeterred by this inaction, the determined victim pursued the matter at a higher judicial level.
Praveena moved the Madras High Court, seeking its intervention to ensure her complaint was heard. The court's directive proved crucial. Following the High Court's order, the Erode district crime branch police registered a formal case against Vijayalakshmi and John Moorthy in 2018 and subsequently arrested the accused, setting the stage for a trial.
Court Delivers Verdict and Sentences
On Tuesday, the case reached its conclusion in the Erode criminal judicial magistrate court II. Judge Rajkumar pronounced the verdict, finding both John Moorthy and Vijayalakshmi guilty of the charges against them. The court sentenced each convict to five years of rigorous imprisonment.
In addition to the prison term, the judge imposed a fine of Rs 11,000 on each of the convicted individuals. This verdict underscores the judiciary's stern stance against fraud, especially those scams that exploit the aspirations of young people seeking stable government employment. The case serves as a cautionary tale for job seekers and a reminder of the legal recourse available, even when initial attempts at justice are stalled.
