IN THE HIGH COURT OF DELHI AT NEW DELHI
Subramonium Prasad, J.
Sunil - Appellant
Versus
State Of NCT Of Delhi - Respondent
Bail Application No. 2115 of 2021
Decided On : 04-01-2022
Forgery - Bail - Sections 420/467/468/471 IPC - [SUMMARY OF ACT SECTIONS]
Fact of the Case:
The petitioner seeks bail in a case involving allegations of forgery and possession of property based on forged documents. The complainants allege that the petitioner and his family members are trying to grab the property on the basis of forged documents. The petitioner claims continuous possession of the property for 25 years, supported by various documents.
Finding of the Court:
The court found that the petitioner failed to produce any document showing ownership of the property in question. The documents presented only indicated possession up to 1998, and the electricity connection was obtained based on a forged document. The petitioner and his family members were accused of evading investigation, and there was a likelihood of the petitioner fleeing from justice.
Issues: The issues revolved around the ownership and possession of the property, the authenticity of the documents presented, and the petitioner's cooperation with the investigation.
Ratio Decidendi: The court emphasized that the power of bail under Section 438 Cr.P.C is exceptional and should be granted only in cases where the person may be falsely implicated or is not likely to misuse their liberty. The court considered the seriousness of the offence, the petitioner's evasion of investigation, and the likelihood of fleeing from justice in denying bail.
Final Decision: The petition for bail was dismissed, along with all pending applications.
JUDGMENT
Subramonium Prasad, J. - This petition under Section 438 Cr.P.C. is for grant of bail to the petitioner in the event of arrest in FIR No. 82/2021 dated 12.03.2021 registered at Police Station Model Town for offences under Sections 420/467/468/471 IPC.
2. Facts, in brief, leading to the present petition are as under:
a) Complaint was given by one Parv Mittal S/o Prem Mittal R/o 73-B Block, Shalimar Bagh, Delhi and one Mool Chand Mittal S/o Late Ram Kishan Dass R/o H.No. 54-a, Kamla Nagar, Malka Ganj, Delhi, stating that they are the owners of property bearing No. R-5/2, Model Town, Delhi admeasuring 31 Sq. Yards and property bearing No. R-5/3, admeasuring 75 Sq. Yards situated at Rishab Nagari, Model Town, Delhi-110009. It is stated that they purchased the abovementioned properties on 07.12.2019 from one Kamal Kishore Jain R/o R-5/1, Model Town, Mohan Park, Delhi, 110009. It is stated that the said Kamal Kishore Jain gave the possession of property bearing No. R-5/2, Model Town, Delhi on 17.12.2019 but he could not give the possession of property bearing No. R-5/3, Model Town, Delhi (hereinafter referred to as 'the property in question'), stating that 5-6 persons are staying in the said property and they will vacate the premises by 13.04.2020.
b) It is stated that in March 2020, when Kamal Kishor Jain asked the occupants of the property in question to vacate it, they threatened him with dire consequences. It is stated that the occupants told Kamal Kishor Jain that they are the owners of the said property and they have valid documents of the same. It is stated that the occupants of the property in question also threatened the complainants herein. The complainants, thereafter, approached the Police and gave a complaint stating that Sunil (the petitioner herein) and his family members (all occupants of property bearing No. R-5/3, Model Town, Delhi) are trying to grab the property on the basis of forged documents. On the basis of this complaint FIR No. 82/2021 was registered at Police Station Model Town for offences under Sections 420/467/468/471 IPC.
c) The petitioner approached the Trial Court by filing an application for anticipatory bail being, Bail application No.1037/2021. The learned aSJ directed the petitioner to place on record the documents of ownership of the property in question. When the petitioner was not able to produce any document of ownership, the learned aSJ vide order dated 05.04.2021 dismissed the anticipatory bail of the petitioner.
d) The petitioner once again approached the Trial Court by filing another application, being Bail application No.1183/2021, stating that the father of the petitioner had purchased the property in question from one Mrs. Chander Kala Jain in the year 1971, but the documents of ownership were misplaced in the floods. The learned aSJ dismissed the said application vide order dated 09.04.2021.
e) The petitioner has thereafter approached this Court by filing the instant petition.
3. Mr. Sudhir Mendiratta, learned counsel appearing for the petitioner, submits that the father of the petitioner purchased the property bearing No. R-5/3, Model Town, Delhi from one Chandra Kala Jain. He states that the family of the petitioner is in possession of the property from the past 25 years. He states that electricity connection, aadhaar Cards, ration cards and Voter ID cards of the family members of the petitioner are issued on the same address i.e. R-5/3, Model Town, Delhi which shows that the aforementioned property was in continuous possession of the petitioner's family. The learned counsel for the petitioner further submits that the petitioner has also filed a document i.e. electricity connection of the said premises, which is in the name of the petitioner, to show that the petitioner and his family members are the owners of the said premises. He, therefore, states that the present FIR is only a ruse to evict the petitioner and his family members from the premises by putting pressure.
4. Per contr
The court's decision highlights the exceptional nature of bail under Section 438 Cr.P.C and the importance of cooperation with the investigation in determining bail eligibility.
The power under Section 438 of the Cr.P.C. for anticipatory bail is extraordinary and not to be granted unless exceptional circumstances exist, ensuring the accused is not likely to misuse their libe....
The main legal point established in the judgment is the requirement for providing evidence of transactions and the seriousness of allegations in property ownership disputes and forgery cases.
The court held that mere allegations under serious IPC sections do not negate the applicability of Section 41A of Cr.P.C. when lesser penalties are involved, allowing anticipatory bail.
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