Zeeshan Sultan Bookwala And ANR v. The Directorate Of Revenue Intelligence And ANR

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY

CRIMINAL APPELLATE JURISDICTION ANTICIPATORY BAIL APPLICATION NO. 1963 OF 2019

1. Zeeshan Sultan Bookwala,

2. Imran Latif Shirgawkar ...Applicants

Versus

The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence & Anr.

...Respondents

Mr. Siddiqui Mohammed Arif a/w Mr. Irfan Ansari and Mr. Siraj Ansari for the Applicants Ms. Rebecca Gonsalvez for the Respondent No. 1-DRI Mr. S. V. Gavand, A.P.P for the Respondent No.2-State CORAM : REVATI MOHITE DERE, J.

WEDNESDAY, 18 th SEPTEMBER 2019 P.C. :

Heard learned counsel for the parties.

By this application, the applicants seek pre-arrest bail in connection with R. A. No. 161 of 2019 registered with the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), Mumbai, for the alleged offence punishable under Section 135(1)(i) of the Customs Act.

Perused the papers. On 9th September 2019, the applicant No.1-Zeeshan Bookwala was granted interim protection and was directed to report to the DRI on 17th and 18th September 2019 between 10:00 a.m to 1/3

1:00 p.m and thereafter, as and when called. As far as applicant No. 2Imran Shirgawkar is concerned, his prayer for interim relief was rejected. It is informed that applicant No. 2- Imran Shirgawkar has been arrested. As far as applicant No.1-Zeeshan Bookwala is concerned, the only allegation as against him is that he booked the ticket of Ashfaq Wadia from Chennai to Mumbai. Prima facie, there is no other material to connect him with the alleged offence.

Considering the aforesaid, the interim protection granted to the applicant No.1 vide order dated 9th September 2019, stands confirmed, on the following terms and conditions :

ORDER

(i) In the event of the arrest, the applicant No.1-Zeeshan Bookwala be enlarged on bail on executing P.R. Bond in the sum of Rs.20,000/- with one or two sureties in the like amount ; (ii) The applicant No.1-Zeeshan Bookwala shall report to the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence, as and when summoned. 2/3

The application is allowed in the aforesaid terms and is accordingly disposed of.

It is made clear that the observations made herein are prima facie, for the purpose of deciding this application. All concerned to act on the authenticated copy of this order. REVATI MOHITE DERE, J.

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