SupremeToday Landscape Ad
Back
Next
Judicial Analysis Court Copy Headnote Facts Arguments Court observation
Listen Audio Icon Pause Audio Icon
judgment-img

HIGH COURT OF HIMACHAL PRADESH
PANKAJ KUMAR – Appellant
Versus
STATE OF HP – Respondent
CRMPM 2337 2021



In order to be granted bail under Section 439 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, the petitioner must establish a change in circumstances or demonstrate that the prosecution has not established a prima facie case against him.

Headnote:

BAIL - SECTION 439 CRPC - [FACTS: Petitioner seeks bail in a case of cheating and forgery, alleging false implication and lack of evidence. The prosecution alleges that the petitioner and co-accused cheated multiple individuals by promising jobs and usurped large sums of money.] [FINDING: The court finds that the petitioner has failed to establish a change in circumstances since his previous bail applications were dismissed or withdrawn. The prosecution has established the petitioner's involvement in the alleged offense and the usurpation of substantial funds, which have not been recovered.] [ISSUES: Whether the petitioner has established a change in circumstances warranting bail; Whether the prosecution has established a prima facie case against the petitioner.] [RATIO DECIDENDI: The court held that the petitioner has not established a change in circumstances and that the prosecution has established a prima facie case against him. The court considered the seriousness of the offense, the petitioner's role in the alleged crime, and the lack of recovery of funds from him.] [FINAL DECISION: The court dismissed the bail petition.]

Fact of the Case:

The petitioner, Pankaj Kumar, was arrested and charged with cheating and forgery under Sections 420, 406, 467, 468, 120B, and 201 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). The prosecution alleged that the petitioner and his co-accused cheated multiple individuals by promising them jobs and usurped large sums of money.

Finding of the Court:

The court found that the petitioner had failed to establish a change in circumstances since his previous bail applications were dismissed or withdrawn. The court also found that the prosecution had established a prima facie case against the petitioner, including his involvement in the alleged offense and the usurpation of substantial funds, which had not been recovered.

Issues: 1. Whether the petitioner has established a change in circumstances warranting bail; 2. Whether the prosecution has established a prima facie case against the petitioner.

Ratio Decidendi: The court held that the petitioner had not established a change in circumstances and that the prosecution had established a prima facie case against him. The court considered the seriousness of the offense, the petitioner's role in the alleged crime, and the lack of recovery of funds from him.

Final Decision: The court dismissed the bail petition.

O R D E R

The present bail application has been maintained by the petitioner under Section 439 of the Code of Criminal Procedure seeking his release in case FIR No. 250 of 2019, dated 31.08.2019, under Sections 420, 406, 467, 468, 120B and 201 IPC, registered at Police Station Nalagarh, District Solan, H.P.

1 Whether reporters of Local Papers may be allowed to see the judgment? Yes.

2. As per the averments made in the petition, the petitioner is innocent and has been falsely implicated in the present case. He is neither in a position to tamper with the prosecution evidence nor in a position to flee from justice, as he is permanent resident of District Hamirpur, H.P. No fruitful purpose will be served by keeping the petitioner behind the bars for an unlimited period, so he be released on bail.

3. At the very outset it is pertinent to mention that by filing the instant petition the petitioner has approached this Court successively third time seeking his bail. One of his earlier petitions was dismissed and other was withdrawn.

4. Police report stands filed. As per the prosecution story, Shri Suresh Kumar (complainant) made a written complaint to the police and alleged that he is acquainted with Pankaj Kumar and Anil Kumar, petitioner and co-accused, respectively. The petitioner and the co-accused taking advantage of his gullibility told him that they would manage jobs for his children. The petitioner and the co-accused, on the pretext of managing jobs for the children of the complainant, demanded rupees ten lac from the complainant, which he paid to them. As per the complainant, the petitioner and the co- accused also cheated some local people. The complainant prayed that action be taken against the petitioners. Upon the complaint, so made by the complainant, police registered a case under the apt Sections of IPC and investigation ensued. Police seized the papers handed over to them by the complainant and later on a Special Investigation Team (SIT) was constituted for probing the matter. On 01.09.2019 accused Chander Shekhar and Gagandeep joined the investigation and they were arrested on 02.09.2019. During the course of investigation it was unearthed that during November, 2017 accused Gagandeep met main accused Rohit Kashta. Initially, on the pretext of getting job for Gagandeep, accused Rohit Kashta demanded rupees four lac from accused Gagandeep, which accused Gagandeep paid to him, but when no job was managed, accused Gagandeep joined accused Rohit Kashta in his illegal activities. Later on accused Gagandeep cheated four people on the pretext of managing jobs for them. Accused Rohit Kashta, Chandershekhar, Anil Kumar and the petitioner were acquainted with each other. The investigation further reveals that accused Chandershekhar cheated many persons on the pretext of managing jobs for them and he used to introduce people to main accused Rohit Kashta. Police investigation further reveals that there are huge transactions in the bank accounts of accused persons and some amount was paid to accused Rohit Kashta in cash through petitioner Pankaj. Accused persons, including the petitioner used to prepare fake appointment letters, joining letters etc. On the basis of mobile location, petitioner Pankaj Kumar and Anil Kumar were nabbed by the police near Panchkula Court on 05.09.2019. The records show that the accused persons, including the petitioners, cheated many persons, and illegally usurped huge amounts. On 08.09.2019 co-accused Anil Kumar made a disclosure statement and got recovered a laptop and three pen drives from his accommodation at Shivalik Vihar, Nayagaon, Chandigarh. On the basis of mobile location accused Rohit Kashta was arrested on 08.09.2019. Police also recovered fake appointment letters, joining letters and printer used for the same. Police also recovered display screen and CPU. Accused Rohit Kashta made a disclosure statement and got recovered three appointment letters from his rented accommodation. Accused Rohit Ka

Click Here to Read the rest of this document
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
SupremeToday Portrait Ad
supreme today icon
logo-black

An indispensable Tool for Legal Professionals, Endorsed by Various High Court and Judicial Officers

Please visit our Training & Support
Center or Contact Us for assistance

qr

Scan Me!

India’s Legal research and Law Firm App, Download now!

For Daily Legal Updates, Join us on :

whatsapp-icon Back to top