Udupi: Udupi additional JMFC Court here on Wednesday, December 13, awarded three years’ rigorous imprisonment to Kodavoor village Mudabettu resident Niranjan Chidananda Bhat (37) for forging the signature of late President Dr A P J Abdul Kalam nine years ago.

Niranjan had created false records forging the signature of late President.

He had also created a fake email ID in the name of Abdul Kalam in Surf and View Cyber Café near Udupi Karavali Bypass and had sent an email congratulating the President through it. He had later copied the signature of the President from the letter sent by the President to thank him.

Niranjan had sent a fake letter recommending Huvair Award that is being awarded by American Engineering Organization for noble work for mankind. He had requested through fake email id of the President to Goswami D Yogi, New York to send project report 50 MW solar thermal plant showing that the records used by him as genuine.

A police case was registered on the basis of complaint from the then district CID police inspector Srinivas Raj on May 24, 2009. The then circle inspector Ganesh Hegde had conducted investigations. Circle inspector S V Girish later submitted chargesheet to the court on October 26, 2010.

Justice Manjunath M S, at Udupi additional JMFC Court, verified evidences from witnesses, documents and arguments and declared that the crime has been proved. He awarded three years’ rigorous imprisonment and Rs 7000 fine under IPC sections 419, 465, 468 and 471.

The then assistant prosecutor Mumtaz and present prosecutor Jayanti K had put forward the arguments on behalf of prosecution.