Mumbai, July 14, 2022 – Lavesh Sitaram Tambe, a 41-year-old, has been granted bail by the Sessions Court in Mumbai in connection with a counterfeit currency case. Tambe was arrested in connection with Crime No. 46/2022, registered with DCB-CID, CIU Unit, for offenses under Sections 489(B) (using as genuine, forged or counterfeit currency-notes or bank-notes), 489(C) (possession of forged or counterfeit currency-notes or bank-notes), and 120(B) (criminal conspiracy) of the Indian Penal Code.

The Allegations

According to the First Information Report (FIR), Tambe was present with Mohd. Arshad Mohd. Siddiki (Accused No. 1) when counterfeit currency notes were recovered. Police recovered 225 counterfeit currency notes of Rs. 2000 denomination from Mohd. Arshad. During a search of Tambe, nothing objectionable was found.

Tambe’s Defense and Arguments

Ms. Kanojiya, the learned Advocate for Tambe, argued that her client was falsely implicated in the case. She stated that no counterfeit currency notes or other objectionable items were recovered from Tambe. She emphasized that Tambe was neither found in possession of, nor involved in selling or buying, counterfeit currency notes. She also argued that sufficient police custody had been granted for investigation, but nothing incriminating was found against Tambe. Tambe is a poor person and is ready to abide by all conditions.

Prosecution’s Objections

Ms. Jyotsna Gawali, the Additional Public Prosecutor (APP), filed a response opposing the bail application. The Investigating Officer, who was present in court, admitted that nothing was found in Tambe’s possession during the investigation. The prosecution argued that Tambe was arrested based on his association with Mohd. Arshad and that they knew each other.

Court’s Observations and Decision

Additional Sessions Judge Shri A.A. Kulkarni considered the submissions from both sides and the documents on record. The court noted that while counterfeit currency notes were recovered from Mohd. Arshad, nothing was recovered from Tambe. The court also observed that there was no prima facie material to connect Tambe with the alleged offense, other than his association with Mohd. Arshad.

“In such circumstances, I am of the opinion that only on the basis of acquaintance of accused Mohd. Arshad and present applicant, it cannot be said that there is prima facie involvement of present applicant in alleged offence,” Judge Kulkarni stated in the order.

The court also noted that Tambe had been arrested on May 15, 2022, and that sufficient police custody had been granted, but no incriminating material had been collected against him. Therefore, the court decided to grant bail.

Bail Conditions

Tambe was granted bail on a personal bond of Rs. 25,000 along with one or two sureties of the same amount. The court imposed the following conditions:

• Tambe must attend the DCB-CID, CIU Unit upon receiving a written notice from the Investigating Officer and cooperate with the investigation.
• He must provide his residential address proof and contact numbers to the Investigating Officer.
• He must not directly or indirectly influence, threaten, or promise any person acquainted with the case.
• He must not leave India without prior permission from the court.
• The bail process will be completed before the lower court.

The court’s decision reflects a consideration of the lack of evidence against Tambe, the completion of the initial investigation, and the need to balance the accused’s rights with the interests of justice. The conditions imposed aim to ensure Tambe’s cooperation with the ongoing judicial process and prevent any interference.