Pankaj Sah v. State Of West Bengal

D/L. 59.

13.06.2024.

MNS/MB CRM (DB) 1607 of 2024 In Re: - An application for bail under Section 439 of the Code of Criminal Procedure filed on 15.05.2024 in connection with Malda Police Station Case No. 538 of 2023 dated 10.09.2023 under Sections 489B/489C/120B of the Indian Penal Code.

And In the matter of: Pankaj Sah .... Petitioner Mr. Mazahar Hossain Chowdhury ... for the petitioner.

Ms. Minoti Gomes, Ms. Suchismita Dutta ... for the State.

The petitioner is one of several accused persons. The allegation is of dealing in fake Indian currency. This is a serious offence. The petitioner says that he has been falsely implicated. In any event, investigation is complete and charge sheet has been submitted. His further detention is not necessary.

The State opposes the prayer for bail. The learned Advocate says that fake Indian currency was recovered from this petitioner and another accused person, namely Sanjay Jaiswal. Both are in custody. Other accused persons, namely, Rajesh Mondal and Abdul @ Obaidul Haque have been enlarged on bail since there was no recovery from them.

We have considered the rival contentions of the parties. Having assessed the material in the case diary, we are of the prima facie view that there are enough incriminating materials against the petitioner herein. It is likely that once the petitioner is released on bail, he will be again indulging in similar criminal activities. Such dealing in fake

currency has deleterious effect on the economy of the country as a whole.

We are not inclined to allow the petitioner's prayer for bail. CRM(DB) 1607 of 2024 is, accordingly, dismissed. We are told that charge has not yet been framed. One of the accused persons is absconding. We direct the learned Trial Court to immediately address the issue of considering the charges if necessary by splitting up the trial following due process of law and to bring the trial to an early conclusion.

(Apurba Sinha Ray, J.) (Arijit Banerjee, J.)