Mumbai, July 20, 2022 – Mohd. Vasim Akram Ansari has been granted bail by the Sessions Court in Mumbai in connection with a case involving human trafficking and offenses under the Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act. Ansari was arrested in connection with Crime No. 496/2022, registered at Bhoiwada Police Station, for offenses under Section 370(2) read with 34 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and Sections 4 and 5 of the Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act, 1956.

The Allegations

According to the prosecution, Police Constable Hemant Uttam Pagar lodged a report stating that Ansari was running a prostitution business from Sharda Pharmacy Ayurvedic Bhandar, Panchkarm Center in Dadar (East), Mumbai. A victim girl was rescued from the premises.

Ansari’s Defense and Arguments

Mr. Sachin Desai, representing Ansari, argued that his client was falsely implicated. He emphasized that nothing was to be recovered or discovered at Ansari’s instance, and there was no evidence to connect him to the crime. He asserted that Ansari was ready to cooperate with the police, would not tamper with witnesses, and was willing to abide by any conditions imposed by the court.

Prosecution’s Objections

APP Bhandari, representing the State, opposed the bail application, arguing that the statements of witnesses were yet to be recorded. The prosecution expressed concerns that if released, Ansari would pressurize witnesses, tamper with evidence, and flee from justice.

Court’s Observations and Decision

Additional Sessions Judge M.M. Deshpande considered the submissions and the documents on record. The court noted that the victim girl was a major and had not made any allegations against Ansari regarding being compelled into prostitution. The court also observed that the prosecution had not sought further detention of Ansari for investigation.

“The victim girl has not made any allegation against the accused person that he has compelled them to do prostitution business. The apprehension of the prosecution is only that if he is released on bail, he will pressurize the prosecution witnesses and will tamper the prosecution evidence and will flee from the Court of justice. The apprehension of the prosecution can be taken care of by imposing certain stringent conditions,” Judge Deshpande stated in the order.

The court concluded that the prosecution’s apprehensions could be addressed by imposing stringent conditions.

Bail Conditions

Ansari was granted bail on a personal bond of Rs. 15,000 with one solvent surety of the same amount. The court imposed the following conditions:

• Ansari must not directly or indirectly influence, threaten, or promise any person acquainted with the case.
• He must not tamper with the evidence.
• He must remain present before the court on every date until the completion of the trial.
• He must not leave India without permission from the court.
• He must not commit similar offenses in the future.
• He must furnish his permanent and temporary addresses and contact details to the court.
• He must not change his residential address without prior intimation to the Investigating Officer and the court.
• If Ansari disobeys any of the conditions, the prosecution is at liberty to move the court for cancellation of bail.
• Bail before the lower court.

Key Points

• Victim’s Statement: The court noted that the victim girl had not alleged compulsion into prostitution.
• No Further Detention Sought: The prosecution had not sought further detention for investigation.
• Stringent Conditions: The court imposed stringent conditions to address the prosecution’s concerns about witness tampering and flight risk.
• Human Trafficking and Immoral Trafficking: The case involved serious offenses related to human trafficking and immoral trafficking.
• Major Victim: The victim girl was a major.