Mumbai, India – March 4, 2024 – A Mumbai Sessions Court has granted bail to Ramzan Mehboob Shaikh, accused of involvement in a vehicle forgery and fraud case involving the manipulation of RTO documents. Additional Sessions Judge Rajesh A. Sasne, presiding over Court Room No. 30, granted bail to Shaikh in Criminal Bail Application No. 272 of 2024.

Shaikh, 34, was arrested on December 13, 2023, in connection with Crime No. 81/2023 registered with DCB CID Unit-4, which corresponds to C.R. No. 1096/2023 at Amboli Police Station. He faces charges under various sections of the Indian Penal Code, including cheating, forgery, and using forged documents.

Allegations of Vehicle Scrap Manipulation:

The prosecution alleged that Shaikh, along with co-accused Sikandar Shah, devised a scheme to purchase scrap dumper trucks at low prices, repair them, and then sell them with forged RTO documents. The modus operandi involved:

• Purchasing Scrap Vehicles: Acquiring scrap trucks from individuals like Imran Mehraj and Nariruddin.
• Forging RTO Documents: Obtaining No Objection Certificates (NOCs) from Arunachal Pradesh through fraudulent means, allegedly with the help of Fakruddin Shaikh from Orissa.
• Manipulating Vehicle Identification: Forging chassis and engine numbers, allegedly with the assistance of Mr. Reddy from Telangana.
• Obtaining New Registrations: Registering the vehicles with RTOs in Vasai and Virar using the forged documents.
• Selling the Vehicles: Selling the fraudulently registered vehicles to unsuspecting buyers.

The investigation revealed that three vehicles, including a tempo owned by Shaikh (MH48CQ4193), were seized. Experts from Tata Company confirmed that the seized vehicles were manufactured before 2012, with production having ceased that year. However, the forged documents indicated they were manufactured in 2019. Additionally, vehicles originally manufactured as BS3 models were fraudulently represented as BS4 compliant.

Defense Arguments and Court’s Reasoning:

Shaikh’s defense argued that he was falsely implicated and that the investigation was complete, with no further recoveries pending. They emphasized his status as a permanent resident of Mumbai.

The prosecution opposed the bail, citing the risk of Shaikh fleeing justice and tampering with evidence. However, Judge Sasne, after reviewing the case records, noted that the charge sheet had already been filed and that Shaikh had been in custody since December 13, 2023. He also observed that no further recoveries were pending.

The court concluded that further incarceration was not warranted, as Shaikh’s presence could be secured through reasonable bail conditions.

Bail Conditions:

Shaikh was granted bail on the following conditions:

• He must furnish a personal bond and surety bond of Rs. 25,000.
• He shall not tamper with prosecution witnesses or evidence.
• He shall attend the concerned police station on the second Saturday of every month between 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. until the framing of charges.
• He shall not leave India without prior permission of the court.
• Provisional cash bail was allowed, with the condition that sureties must be furnished within four weeks.

Implications:

The court’s decision highlights the issue of vehicle fraud and the manipulation of RTO documents, which can have significant implications for public safety and financial security. The case underscores the importance of thorough investigation and prosecution of such offenses. The setting of bail conditions also shows the courts balance between the rights of the accused, and the need to have them present for the duration of the trial.