Cheekati Narasimha Rao
A former general manager with Printing Services Limited was charged with stealing over Sh 254.4 million from his employer yesterday. Cheekati Narasimha Rao who appeared before Caroline Nyaguthii is also charged with forging the signature of Indian-Kenyan author and publisher Malkiat Singh Dhillon, in an attempt to falsely promote himself as a production manager at a printing company.
The charge sheet states that Rao on diverse dates between January 1, 2016, and August 31, 202,4 within Nairobi city county, jointly with others not before court being a servant to Printing Services Ltd, stole Sh 254,461,768 the property of Printing Services which came into his possession by his employment.
He is accused of forging Malkiat Singh Dhillon’s signature on an appointment letter that falsely promoted him to the position of Production Manager at Printing Services Limited.
The letter was purported to have been signed by Dhillon, who is also the Managing Director of the company.
After pleading not guilty, he requested the court to grant him reasonable bail terms, stating that he had been unemployed since April 2024 and had been unwell. He further argued that he is not a flight risk.
However, Lawyer Kimani Wachira, representing the complainant Malkiat Singh Dhillon, requested that the court compel Rao to also deposit his passport, citing previous attempts by the accused to leave the country.
The magistrate ordered the accused person to be released on a bond of Sh 10 million or a cash bail of Sh 3 million pending the hearing and determination of the case.
Rao was also ordered to deposit his passport with the court and not leave the country without prior permission.
The case will be mentioned on March 12, 2025, for further directions.
