Mumbai, February 5, 2024 – The Sessions Court of Greater Bombay has granted bail to businessman Amjad Shahpur Irani, accused in a bank fraud case, under certain conditions. The case pertains to an incident at the Bank of Maharashtra, L.B.S. Marg Branch, Kurla (West), where an individual allegedly tricked a customer into handing over cash and made off with Rs. 35,500. The accused was arrested on October 18, 2023, and had been in judicial custody since then.
Case Background
According to the First Information Report (FIR) filed by complainant Manisha Dinesh Bhosale, the incident occurred on September 11, 2023, when she visited the bank to withdraw Rs. 87,100. An unidentified individual standing behind her claimed that some of her currency notes were counterfeit and offered to help her verify them. The person took the cash bundle, purportedly checked it, and returned it to her. Upon later inspection at home, she discovered that Rs. 35,500 was missing from the bundle, prompting her to file a police complaint.
Prosecution’s Stand
The prosecution, represented by Additional Public Prosecutor Sulbha Joshi, opposed the bail application on the grounds that Irani is a habitual offender, with at least 21 similar cases registered against him. The prosecution further argued that he often took refuge in Irani Vasti to evade arrest and could potentially tamper with evidence or intimidate witnesses if released.
Defense’s Argument
Irani’s lawyer, Advocate Rehana Begum, argued that her client was falsely implicated and that there was no clear evidence linking him to the crime. She highlighted that CCTV footage from the bank had not been recovered and that the police had only managed to seize Rs. 13,750 from the accused, which was contested as a false recovery. She also pointed out that despite being in custody, investigators had failed to recover the missing Rs. 20,000. Additionally, the defense maintained that Irani had been in jail since October 2023, and the trial was unlikely to commence anytime soon.
Court’s Decision
Presiding Judge S.B. Pawar of Additional Sessions Court (Courtroom No. 58) granted bail to Irani, recognizing that the investigation was complete and a charge sheet had already been filed. The court observed that indefinite detention without trial was unwarranted, especially considering the nature of the offense and the relatively small amount involved.
Bail Conditions
Irani was granted bail on the execution of a personal bond of Rs. 15,000 with a surety of the same amount. The court imposed several conditions, including:
- He must not threaten or influence witnesses.
- He must not tamper with prosecution evidence.
- He must refrain from committing a similar offense while on bail.
- He must avoid contacting the complainant.
- He must submit proof of his permanent address and contact details to the police and the court within seven days of release.
- He must attend all court proceedings regularly.
The court further allowed Irani to avail provisional cash bail for a period of six weeks and warned that any breach of these conditions could result in bail cancellation.
Conclusion
While Irani has secured bail, the court’s decision does not exonerate him. The legal proceedings will continue, and the prosecution will need to substantiate its allegations. The case sheds light on the prevalence of financial frauds in the city and underscores the need for enhanced security measures within banking institutions.
