Mumbai, March 14, 2024 – The Sessions Court for Greater Mumbai has rejected the bail application of Mohd. Azizur Rehman Sayyed @ Rana, who was arrested in connection with a kidnapping and robbery case. The court, presided over by Additional Sessions Judge A.S. Salgar, denied the bail, citing the serious nature of the allegations and the accused’s criminal history.
Sayyed was arrested in connection with C.R. No. 645/2023, registered at the R.C.F. Police Station, for offenses punishable under Sections 364(A) (kidnapping for ransom), 394 (voluntarily causing hurt in committing robbery), 387 (putting person in fear of death or of grievous hurt, in order to commit extortion),1 323 (voluntarily causing hurt), 341 (wrongful restraint), 342 (wrongful confinement), 504 (intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of the peace), 506 (criminal intimidation),2 and 34 (acts done by several persons in furtherance of common intention) of the Indian Penal Code.
According to the First Information Report3 (FIR) filed by Mohd. Sarfraj Sheful Shaikh, on October 31, 2023, at around 11:30 PM, Sayyed and other accused persons obstructed Shaikh’s scooter, forcibly took him to a location, assaulted him, robbed him of Rs. 10,500, and demanded a ransom of Rs. 60,000 from his brother under threat of killing him.
Sayyed’s defense, presented by Advocate Mikhail Deepak Dey, argued that he was falsely implicated, had no specific role in the alleged crime, and was willing to cooperate with the investigation.
The prosecution, represented by Additional Public Prosecutor Sachin Patil, opposed the bail, stating that Sayyed was a principal accused, a habitual offender, and had committed a serious crime. They argued that granting bail would lead to witness tampering and absconding.
An intervener also appeared, claiming Sayyed was wrongly prosecuted and offering to file a no-objection statement.
Judge Salgar, in his order, acknowledged the serious allegations against Sayyed in the FIR, including assault, robbery, and ransom demands. He also noted Sayyed’s criminal history, as mentioned by the investigating officer.
“It appears that accused is having criminal antecedents. If bail is granted to him, then there is possibility that he will again commit similar type of offence,” Judge Salgar stated.
Regarding the intervener’s claim and the potential no-objection statement from the complainant, the court emphasized the seriousness of the allegations in the FIR and the risk of witness influence.
“The possibility cannot be ruled out that the accused might have influenced to the informant,” Judge Salgar noted. “Therefore, in my view the application filed by informant will not help to the applicant/accused.”
Considering the nature of the offenses, particularly Section 364(A) of the IPC, which carries a life imprisonment sentence, and Sayyed’s criminal history, the court concluded that he was not entitled to bail.
“As offence is serious in nature, it will not be proper to enlarge accused on bail,” Judge Salgar stated.
Consequently, the court rejected Mohd. Azizur Rehman Sayyed @ Rana’s bail application.
The court’s decision underscores the significance of the seriousness of the offenses and the accused’s criminal history in denying bail. The R.C.F. Police Station will continue its investigation and prosecution of the case.