Mumbai, Maharashtra – April 20, 2022 – A Mumbai Sessions Court has rejected the bail application of Anita Navnath Karkhile, accused of possessing and circulating counterfeit currency. The court, presided over by Additional Sessions Judge Purushottam B. Jadhav, denied bail citing the seriousness of the offense, the ongoing investigation, and the possibility of the accused absconding.
Karkhile was arrested in connection with Crime No. 266 of 2022, registered at Dharavi Police Station, under sections 420 (cheating and dishonestly inducing delivery of property), 489-B (using as genuine forged or counterfeit currency-notes or bank-notes),1 489-C (possession of forged or counterfeit currency-notes or bank-notes),2 and 504 (intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of the peace) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).
The prosecution alleged that on March 30, 2022, Karkhile purchased vegetables from a vendor using a counterfeit Rs. 100 note. Upon further search, 36 more counterfeit Rs. 100 notes were found in her possession, along with other genuine currency notes and coins.
During the bail hearing, Karkhile’s advocate, Mr. Jitendra Gamare, argued that his client was a resident of Parner Taluka who had come to Mumbai following a family dispute. He claimed that she had genuine Rs. 2,000 notes but was unable to get change, and an unknown person provided her with Rs. 4,000 in change, without her knowledge that some notes were counterfeit.
The prosecution, represented by Ld. A.P.P. Ms. C.A. Panshikar, opposed the bail application, arguing that the offense under Section 489-B of the IPC, which involves using counterfeit currency, is punishable with life imprisonment and is a grave and serious offense. They also stated that the investigation was at an initial stage, Karkhile was not cooperating with the police, and her associates were yet to be identified and arrested.
Judge Jadhav, after reviewing the case records and hearing both sides, noted that while Karkhile’s residency outside Mumbai alone was not a ground for denying bail, the seriousness of the offense and the ongoing investigation were significant factors.
“It is true that the applicant cannot be denied bail only because she is permanent resident of outside Mumbai. However, it may be noted that offence under Section 489-B of the Indian Penal Code is punishable with life imprisonment. It is grave and serious offence. The investigation is still at initial stage. Learned A.P.P. submitted that the applicant has not co-operated with police. Her associates are yet to be revealed and arrested. Considering the nature of offence, there is every possibility that she would abscond, if released on bail,” Judge Jadhav stated in the order.
The court rejected Karkhile’s bail application, emphasizing the seriousness of the offense, the lack of cooperation from the accused, and the potential for her to abscond if released.