Rita Bagga v. State (The NCT of Delhi)

Delhi High Court · 15 Oct 2019 · 2019:DHC:7289
Suresh Kumar Kait
BAILAPPLN. 1532/2018
2019:DHC:7289
criminal appeal_allowed Significant

AI Summary

The Delhi High Court granted anticipatory bail to petitioners accused of cheating and criminal conspiracy, relying on digital evidence and cooperation with investigation to find no prima facie case against them.

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$-6 and 7 HIGH COURT OF DELHI
BAILAPPLN. 1532/2018
RITA BAGGA Petitioner
Through: Mr. Amn Bhardwaj, Sr. Advocate with Mr. Vansh Gandotra and
Mr. Kartik Gandotra,Advs.
VERSUS
STATE(THE NCT OF DELHI) Respondent
Through: Mr.Hirein Sharma,APP for State SI Jainender Kumar,PS-LOW
Mr.Rajiv Bajaj and Mr.Sagrika Wadhwa,Advs.for complainant
BAILAPPLN. 1535/2018
AMIT BAGGA Petitioner
Through: Mr. Arun Bhardwaj, Sr. Advocate with Mr. Vansh Gandotra and
Mr.Kartik Gandotra,Advs.
VERSUS
STATE(THE NCT OF DELHI) Respondent
Through: Mr.FIirein Sharma,APP for State with
SI Jainender Kumar,PS-LOW Mr.Rajiv Bajaj and Mr.Sagrika
Wadhwa,Advs.for complainant
CORAM:
HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE SURESH KUMAR ICAIT
15.10.2019 Vide the present petitions, the petitioners seek anticipatory bail in the event of arrest in FIR No. 127/2018, registered at Police Station - Patel
2019:DHC:7289 Nagar for the offences punishable under Sections 420/34 IPG.
It is not in dispute that vide order dated 05.07.2018, the petitioners were granted interim protection and directed to appear before the 10 on
07.07.2018 at2PM at Police Station — Economic Offences Wing.
Thereafter, the matter was listed before this Court on 26.10.2018. On the said date, Mr. Rajiv BajaJ, Advocate appeared on behalf of the complainant and prayed for supply of copy of paper book. Copy was accordingly supplied and the matter was listed on 07.12.2018 with interim protection given to the petitioners to continue.
Thereafter, the matter was listed on 07.12.2018 and learned counsel for the complainant submitted that after the petitioner got interim protection vide order dated 05.07.2018,he approached the respondent/ complainant for settlement and handed over a cheque in the sum of ?50 lakhs, which has subsequently been dishonoured. Accordingly, the petitioner - Amit Bagga was directed to remain present personally in Court on the next date of hearing.
On 12.12.2018, leamed counsel for petitioner submitted that the subject cheque of'^50 lakhs, which was shown by the respondent on the last date was never handed over by the petitioner. He submits that these cheques amongst other cheques were executed in blank in January, 2016 for some other purpose and probably one of the cheques has reached to the respondent/complainant. He submits that photocopy ofthe same were taken on 28.01.2016 from his cell phone as is available in his cell phone.
Learned counsel appearing for the complainant, under instructions, submitted that this cheque was handed over to the complainant on
22.11.2018 at his residence when petitioner had come to his residence at around 10 AM in the morning.
Accordingly, the petitioner was directed to produce, the digital copy of the image, copy of which was shown in the Court. Further the
Investigating Officer was directed to obtain the call details and the cell phone location ofthe petitioner as well as the complainant on 22.11.2018 for the period 9 AM to 11 AM.
Thereafter, the matter was taken on 20.12.2018 and it is recorded by this Court that pursuant to order dated 12.12.2018, digital copy ofthe image of cheque has been produced which prima facie shows that image was captured on 28.01.2016. Further, the status report filed by the I.O. states that the location ofthe petitioner on 22.11.2018 at the relevant point oftime was at Juhu, Mumbai, Maharashtra and not at the residence of the complainant. Further the status report indicates that the complainant's presence is at Sector-22, Noida, Uttar Pradesh at around 10.00 AM and not at his residence.
It is not in dispute that the complainant has filed suit for declaration and permanent injunction bearing CS(OS) No. 320/2018 which is pending adjudication.
The alleged incident pertains to the year 2016. The complainant made the complaint on 04.05.2018 which culminated into the FIR in question.
From the FIR,it is established that the complainant came to know that he has been cheated in the month of May, 2016. Despite the fact that the accused No. 1 executed Agreement to Sell with Receipt, GPA and
Possession Letter of 3/4'^ part of the land in question, the entire land was subsequently sold by accused No. 1 to accused No.4 vide Sale Deed dated
30.05.2016. The allegation against Amit Bagga,who is son ofaccused No.l, is that he is a signatory in the agreement to sell,receipt and possession letter as a witness. Case against the petitioner is under Section 420/467/120B
IPG. The case ofthe petitioner-Amit Bagga is that he does not enjoy good relations with his father except meeting him occasionally on some social functions.
The case of the complainant is that the petitioner - Amit Bagga in conspiracy, signed the documents in question as witness with the complainant.
This Court puts a specific query to the learned counsel for the petitioner and learned counsel for respondent as well that whether the petitioner- Amit Bagga was witness in Sale deed dated 30.05.2016 in favour ofA-4.The reply thereto is in negative.
It is also pointed out by learned counsel for the complainant that petitioner-Amit Bagga received an amount of?30 laldis from total amount of?50 laklis received by the accused No. 1 through banlc transactions.
Learned counsel for petitioner has produced bank statements of account in Standard Chartered Bank, Branch- Defence Colony, maintained
1"h tb by Amit Bagga, whereby it is established that on 5 and 6 January, 2016, the petitioner - Amit Bagga has received an amount of?15 lakhs each on the aforesaid dates (i.e. a total amount of?30 lakhs). Thus, he received an amount of ?30 lakhs from total amount of ^50 lakiis from the respondent
No. 1 tlirough bank transactions.
The bank statement further reveals that on 20.02.2016 i.e. in the next month,Amit Baga returned the amount to accused No. 1, who is his father.
It is not in dispute that the petitionerjoined investigation as and when called by the 10 till date.
Therefore, without commenting on the case of the prosecution, I am of the considered view that present case is fit for anticipatory bail.
Accordingly, SHO/ Arresting Officer/IO concerned, is hereby directed that in the event of arrest, the petitioners/ applicants be released on bail on the following terms and conditions:-
(i) That the petitioners shall fumish a personal bond in the sum of
?50,000/- each with two sureties each of like amount subject to the satisfaction ofAiTcsting Officer/SHO/IO concerned;
(ii) That the petitioners shall cooperate with the investigation and make themselves available for inteiTogation by police officer, as and when required;
In case of default of aforementioned conditions, the State is at liberty to take appropriate recourse in accordance with law.
Before parting with the order, it is relevant to mention that nothing contained in this order shall be construed as an expression on the merits of the case.
Both the petitions stand allowed and disposed ofaccordingly.
SURESH KUMAR KAIT,J OCTOBER 15,2019 m
JUDGMENT