Mumbai, March 12, 2024 – Pradeep Ramshiromani Mourya, 43, has been granted bail by the Sessions Court for Greater Bombay in connection with a multi-fraud case involving forged documents and misuse of credit cards. Additional Sessions Judge Rajesh A. Sasne (Court Room No. 30) issued the order on March 7, 2024.
Mourya was arrested in connection with C.R. No. 62/2023, registered with DCB CID Unit-3, Mumbai (corresponding to C.R. No. 515/2023, Agripada Police Station). He faces charges under Sections 419 (cheating by personation), 420 (cheating and dishonestly inducing delivery of property), 465 (forgery), 467 (forgery1 of valuable security, will, etc.), 468 (forgery for purpose of cheating), 471 (using as genuine2 a forged document or electronic record), and 120(b) (criminal conspiracy) of the Indian Penal Code3 (IPC).
Background and Allegations:
The prosecution alleges that Mourya and his accomplices induced individuals to obtain credit cards and home loans, subsequently misusing their documents through forgery. They are accused of fabricating government documents, obtaining mobile SIM cards in customers’ names, and withdrawing money using the customers’ credit cards.
The complainant, Santosh Jadhav, was allegedly defrauded of Rs. 4,49,986. The investigation revealed that approximately 20 individuals were cheated, with the total fraud amounting to Rs. 87,91,000. The prosecution claims that Mourya was the main accused, involved in fabricating documents.
Arguments Presented:
Advocate Gopal Singh, representing Mourya, argued that his client was falsely implicated, had no prior criminal record, and had been in custody since October 3, 2023. He highlighted that the charge sheet was filed, the investigation was complete, and there was no point in keeping Mourya in custody.
Additional Public Prosecutor (APP) Iqbal Solkar opposed the bail, arguing that Mourya’s release would affect evidence collection, increase the risk of him absconding, and lead to witness tampering.
Court’s Reasoning and Decision:
Judge Sasne reviewed the documents and noted the seriousness of the allegations, including the fabrication of government documents and the large scale of the fraud. However, he also acknowledged that Mourya had been in custody for over five months, the charge sheet was filed, and the investigation was complete.
The court considered the fact that co-accused Bhavesh, Minakshi, and Jagdish had already been granted bail, invoking the principle of parity. The court also recognized that the trial would take time to conclude and that no further recovery was pending.
Bail Conditions:
Judge Sasne granted bail to Mourya upon furnishing a personal bond and surety bond of Rs. 25,000 each. The following conditions were imposed:
- Mourya must not tamper with prosecution witnesses or evidence.
- He must regularly attend the court hearings unless exempted by the trial court.
- He must furnish surety within four weeks of his release, failing which his provisional cash bail will be forfeited.
- He must not leave India without prior permission from the court.
- Bail to be furnished before the concerned Magistrate.
Order Details:
The order was dictated on March 7, 2024, transcribed on March 11, 2024, and signed on March 12, 2024. The certified copy was uploaded on March 12, 2024, at 3:33 p.m.
This decision reflects the court’s consideration of the completion of the investigation, the principle of parity, and the imposition of conditions to ensure Mourya’s compliance with the legal process.