Mumbai, May 25, 2022 – Mr. Vaseem Eliyas Ansari, a 42-year-old businessman, has been granted bail by the Sessions Court for Greater Bombay in connection with a case involving online gambling and allegations of forgery. The bail application, Criminal Bail Application No. 772 of 2022, arose from C.R. No. 03 of 2022 registered with the DCB CID, Unit 6 (initially Chembur Police Station C.R. No. 15 of 2022).

Mr. Ansari faced serious charges under various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), including Sections 255 (counterfeiting Government stamp), 256 (having possession of counterfeit Government stamp), 259 (having possession of instrument or material for counterfeiting Government stamp), 260 (using as genuine a Government stamp known to be counterfeit), 420 (cheating and dishonestly inducing delivery of property), 294(A) (keeping any office or place for lottery), 464 (making a false document), 465 (forgery), 468 (forgery for purpose of cheating), 472 (making or possessing counterfeit seal, plate, etc., with intent to commit forgery), 474 (having possession of document or electronic record knowing it to be forged and intending to use it as genuine), all read with Section 34 (acts done by several persons in furtherance of common intention) of the IPC. Additionally, he was charged under Sections 3, 4, and 5 of the Prevention of Gambling Act and Sections 4 and 7(3) of the Maharashtra Lottery Act.

The prosecution’s case, briefly stated, alleged that Police Constable Gherade of the crime branch received secret information on January 17, 2022, about Mr. Ansari and another accused, Rahul Katiyar, running an online gambling operation. They were also accused of transferring amounts through various bank accounts and preparing fraudulent documents and stamps. Following this information, a police raid was conducted, during which the accused were allegedly found engaged in online gambling. The police claimed to have seized fake documents, computers, printers, and other materials, documented in a ‘Panchnama’ (record of seizure). It was further alleged that the accused had created these fake documents using counterfeit stamps, leading to their arrest.

The police investigation was completed, and a charge sheet was filed. Mr. Rajesh Gaikwad, the advocate representing Mr. Ansari, argued that his client was innocent and had not committed any of the alleged crimes. He specifically denied that Mr. Ansari had prepared any fake documents. Mr. Gaikwad also pointed out that all alleged recoveries had already been made, and no further recoveries were pending from his client. He emphasized that the investigation was complete, the charge sheet was filed, and Mr. Ansari was willing to abide by any conditions imposed by the court, thus requesting his release on bail.

Mr. Ramesh Siroya, the Learned APP for the State, opposed the bail application, labeling Mr. Ansari as a habitual offender and expressing concerns that he would abscond if released on bail. He urged the court to reject the application.

However, His Honour the Additional Judge, Shri G.B. Gurao (C.R. No. 37), after perusing the charge sheet, noted the allegations that the accused were running an online gambling operation and had opened various fake accounts using forged documents to transfer the proceeds. The court also acknowledged the on-the-spot seizure of computers and laptops. However, considering that the investigation was complete and the charge sheet had been filed, Judge Gurao opined that the further custody of the accused was not necessary. He also took note of Mr. Ansari’s undertaking to abide by any conditions imposed by the court, concluding that he was entitled to bail.

Consequently, the court passed the following order:

ORDER

1. Bail Application No. 772/2022 is hereby allowed.
2. Applicant/accused Mr. Vaseem Eliyas Ansari in C.R. No. 03 of 2022 registered with Chembur Police Station for the offences punishable under Sections 255, 256, 259, 260, 420, 294(A), 464, 465, 468, 472, 474 r/w 34 of the IPC and under Sections 3, 4, 5 of Prevention of Gambling Act and under Sections 4, 7(3) of Maharashtra Lottery Act, shall be released on his executing a PR Bond of ₹30,000/- (Thirty Thousand only) with one or more sureties of the like amount on the following conditions: a) He shall not pressurize the prosecution witnesses in any manner. b) He shall not commit any offence while on bail. c) He shall attend the dates of Court regularly unless exempted by the Court. d) He shall furnish his correct address to the investigating officer.
3. He shall be released on provisional cash bail of ₹30,000/-. The duration of the provisional cash bail shall be for four weeks.
4. Bail Application No. 772/2022 is disposed of accordingly.

The order was dictated, transcribed, and signed by Additional Judge Shri G.B. Gurao at the City Civil & Sessions Court, Greater Bombay, on May 25, 2022.

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