Bharat Bhai Shankarbhai Patel v. The State (Govt. Of NCT Of Delhi)

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IN THE HIGH COURT OF DELHI AT NEW DELHI

+ BAIL APPLN. 2676/2019 BHARAT BHAI SHANKARBHAI PATEL ..... Petitioner Through:

Mr Mohit Mathur, Sr. Advocate with Arun Satija, Advocate.

versus THE STATE (GOVT. OF NCT OF DELHI) ..... Respondent Through:

Ms Meenakshi Chauhan, APP for State with Insp. Mukesh Baliyan and SI Sushil Kumar, P.S. IGI Airport.

CORAM:

HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE VIBHU BAKHRU

O R D E R

% 24.10.2019 1.

The petitioner has filed the present petition, inter alia, praying for anticipatory bail in relation to FIR No.0417/2019 under Sections 419/420/468/471/120B of the IPC and Section 12 of the Passports Act, 1967 registered with P.S. IGI Airport.

2.

The said FIR was lodged as it was alleged a passenger was travelling to the United States of America disguised as an old man on a wheelchair. Upon further examination, he was found to be a young person travelling on a fake passport.

3.

The said person stated that he had to pay ₹30 lakhs to an agent (one Shri Siddhu) for arranging his travel papers in order for him to travel to the United States of America. It is alleged that the visa and other documents had been obtained on the basis of forged documents.

4.

The status report has been filed which indicates that the petitioner was the first agent who was contacted by the said passenger and he had directed the petitioner to other agents. It is also alleged the said passenger came to Delhi on directions of the petitioner.

It is further alleged that on the petitioner's directions, a makeup artist was arranged and other documents had been prepared. It is also stated in the status report that the petitioner did not join the investigation and now, bailable warrants have been issued against him and a blue corner notice and proceedings emanating therefrom have also been initiated.

5.

In addition, it is stated that the petitioner is also involved in other FIRs bearing FIR No. 317/07 under Sections 419/420/468/471 of the IPC and Section 12(1)(A) of the Passports Act, 1967 registered with PS CCS, DD, Hyderabad and FIR No.112/15 under Sections 406/420/467/468/471/114 of the IPC and Section 12(1) of the Passports Act, 1967 registered with PS Sardarnagar, Ahmedabad. It is the respondent's further apprehension that the petitioner is part of a larger racket and therefore, his arrest his necessary for the investigation. 6.

In view of the above, this Court does not consider it apposite to accede to the prayer made in the present petition. 7.

The petition is, accordingly, dismissed.

VIBHU BAKHRU, J OCTOBER 24, 2019 MK