Mumbai, May 3, 2024 – Priyesh Hareshwar Jadhav, a 30-year-old resident of Thane district, has been granted bail by the Sessions Court for Greater Bombay in a railway job fraud case. Additional Sessions Judge Rajesh A. Sasne (Court Room No. 30) issued the order on April 29, 2024.
Jadhav was arrested in connection with C.R. No. 270/2023, registered at the Vashi Railway Police Station, for offenses under Sections 465 (forgery), 467 (forgery of valuable security, will, etc.), 468 (forgery for purpose of cheating), 471 (using as genuine a forged document or electronic record),1 472 (making or possessing counterfeit seal, etc., with intent to commit forgery),2 419 (cheating by personation), 420 (cheating and dishonestly inducing delivery of property), 120(b) (criminal conspiracy), 201 (causing disappearance of evidence of offense, or giving false information to screen offender), and3 34 (acts done by several persons in furtherance of common intention) of the Indian Penal4 Code (IPC), and Section 66(C) (identity theft) of the Information Technology Act, 2000.
Background and Allegations:
The prosecution alleged that the complainant, a station manager at Sea-Wood Darave railway station, discovered forged appointment letters and other documents related to railway jobs. The investigation revealed that individuals were fraudulently employed using these forged documents. Jadhav is alleged to have transferred money received from the fraud into various bank accounts.
Arguments Presented:
Advocate Nitin Sejpal, representing Jadhav, argued that he was falsely implicated, had been in custody since January 30, 2024, had undergone custodial interrogation, the investigation was nearly complete, no recoveries were required from him, and he was the sole breadwinner of his family.
Additional Public Prosecutor (APP) Iqbal Solkar, representing the State, opposed the bail, arguing that Jadhav’s release would lead to witness tampering, evidence tampering, and flight risk.
Court’s Reasoning and Decision:
Judge Sasne reviewed the FIR, statements, and documents. He noted that Jadhav was arrested on January 30, 2024, the charge sheet had been filed, and the investigation appeared to be complete. The court also observed that Jadhav’s Apple mobile phone had been seized.
The court highlighted that co-accused had already been granted bail, establishing grounds for parity. The court concluded that imposing reasonable conditions would be sufficient to secure Jadhav’s presence.
Bail Conditions:
Jadhav was granted bail upon furnishing a personal bond and surety bond of Rs. 50,000 with one or two sureties. The following conditions were imposed:
- Jadhav must not tamper with prosecution witnesses or evidence.
- He must attend every court date until the trial’s conclusion, unless specifically exempted.
- He must furnish his contact number and current address to the Investigating Officer and inform them of any changes.
- He was granted provisional cash bail of Rs. 50,000, and he must furnish surety within one month, failing which the cash bail will be forfeited.
- He must not leave India without prior permission from the court.
- Bail to be furnished before the Trial Court.
Order Details:
The order was dictated on April 29, 2024, transcribed on April 30, 2024, and signed on May 3, 2024. The certified copy was uploaded on May 3, 2024, at 11:15 a.m.
This decision reflects the court’s consideration of the completion of the investigation, the parity with co-accused, and the imposition of conditions to ensure Jadhav’s cooperation and prevent potential interference with the legal process.