IN THE HIGH COURT OF DELHI AT NEW DELHI
DINESH KUMAR SHARMA, J.
Bhim Singh - Petitioner
Versus
State - Respondent
Bail Appln. No. 146 of 2023
Decided On : 16-01-2023
Indian Penal Code, 1860 - Section 420, 468, 471, 120B, 34 - Quashing of first Information Report - Criminal Conspiracy - Cheating and dishonestly inducing delivery of property - Forgery for purpose of cheating - Present application has been filed for grant of anticipatory bail in case FIR no.0715/2022 under Section 420/468/471/120B/34 IPC, registered at PS Harsh Vihar - FIR was lodged at the statement of the complainant namely Abhishek Gupta wherein he has alleged that on his property illegal electricity connection has been installed - Held, In present case, petitioner who claims himself to have come in possession being the tenant of the complainant and thereafter his plea is that property was sold to aforesaid four persons - It is a matter of record that civil suit regarding property is pending disposal - Accused Sanjay Soni who is one of alleged new owner has been granted bail by court - Court consider that taking into account totality of facts and circumstances of case which predominantly looks to have flavour of a civil dispute between parties - Therefore, it is directed that petitioner in event of arrest be admitted to bail on furnishing a personal bond in sum of Rs.1 lakh with two sureties in like amount to satisfaction of investigation officer/SHO - Disposed of.
JUDGMENT :
Dinesh Kumar Sharma, J.
CRL.M.A. 1076/2023 (for exemption)
Exemption allowed subject to just exceptions.
The application stands disposed of.
BAIL APPLN. 146/2023 & CRL.M.A. 1075/2023 (stay)
1. Present application has been filed for grant of anticipatory bail in case FIR no.0715/2022 under Section 420/468/471/120B/34 IPC, registered at PS Harsh Vihar. The FIR was lodged at the statement of the complainant namely Abhishek Gupta wherein he has alleged that on his property illegal electricity connection has been installed. It was alleged that the property bearing Plot No.26 and 26A, Khasra No.38/3 and 38/7, C-Block, Harsh Vihar, Delhi was owned by his parents late Sh. Rakesh Gupta and late Smt. Asha Gupta. It was further stated that his uncle and aunt namely Sh. Mukesh Gupta and Smt. Seema Gupta also hold the ownership right. It has been stated that around five years back, on the aforesaid property a marriage hall under the name and style of Shiva Vatika was made and was given to Sh. Bhim Singh S/o. Sh. Budh Prakash for looking after. Sh. Bhim Singh used to pass on the receipts to the complainant. It was alleged that for the last one month Bhim Singh did not pay any money. The complainant told Mr. Bhim Singh i.e. the petitioner herein that henceforth they will look after the property and settled the accounts with him. It was stated that the petitioner left certain furniture, generator and other articles with the complainant and left the place. On 20.11.2022, the complainant found a copy of electricity bill in the name of Ved Prakash son of Sh. Sant Ram. On being checked, it was found that the earlier electricity meter in the name of the complainant was removed. On further verification, it was found that the petitioner along with his accomplice Prem Pal and Ved Prakash had got prepared the forged documents and got installed new electricity connection in the name of Ved Prakash. Thus, the matter was reported to the police.
2. The case of the petitioner is that he has been running the business of tent house and catering since 2011 under the name of Shiva Vatika Marriage Farm House and Shiva Tent House and had taken the property on rent from the complainant for Rs.20,000/- per event and developed the said property into a marriage ground and got registered his business with GST No.07GXHPS1804J1Z6 in the name of Shiva Vatika Marriage Farm House. The petitioner states that thereafter he has been running the business from there and filing the GST returns. It was further stated that subsequently Rahmat Ulla Khan, Ved Prakash, Sanjay Soni and Hitesh Sagar approached the petitioner claiming themselves to be the owner of the property and insisted that the petitioner may either vacate the premises or enter into rent agreement with them. The petitioner states that he approached the complainant several times but no response was received from the complainant. It was stated that thereafter the petitioner entered into a rent agreement with the aforesaid persons on 26.09.2022. It was stated that thereafter the complainant lodged the present FIR. The petitioner submits that he has been implicated falsely as he is neither the transferor nor beneficiary and present FIR has been lodged malafidely against him. Learned counsel for the petitioner states that the petitioner undertakes to join the investigation as and when directed.
3. Learned counsel for the complainant submits that the petitioner had been taking contrary stand. It has been submitted that the petitioner has filed a civil suit against the complainant and Rahmat Ulla Khan, Ved Prakash, Sanjay Soni and Hitesh Sagar. Learned counsel for the complainant states in the said suit, the petitioner had taken a stand that earlier he was tenant of one Rahul Sharma and thereafter Rahul Sharma sold the property to the aforesaid four persons and he became tenant of those persons. It has been submitted that the suit has since been dismissed.
4. Learned APP for the State submits that in fact the petitioner
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.
Anticipatory bail may be denied when there is a strong prima facie case of conspiracy and fraud against the accused, even if custodial interrogation is not the sole factor, as the nature, severity, a....
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