Fijul Mia v. State Of West Bengal

01.12.2020 pg.

CRM 7670 of 2020 In Re: - An application for bail under Section 439 of the Code of Criminal Procedure in connection with Golabari, Howrah P.S. Case No. 717 of 2017 dated 15.11.2017 under Sections 489B/120B/489C of the Indian Penal Code.

And In the matter of: Fijul Mia .... Petitioner Mr. Tara Pada Das ... For the Petitioner Mr. Saibal Bapuli Ms. Sayanti Santra ... For the State The petitioner undertakes to affirm and stamp the petition as per the Rules within one week of resumption of normal functioning of the court. The petition is taken up through video conference on the basis of such undertaking.

The matter pertains to the recovery of counterfeit currency from a hotel room in which the petitioner was present. An amount in excess of Rs.9 lakh in fake currency notes was recovered from the room. The petitioner faces a maximum term of 10 years. The State says that the trial should begin in early January. According to the State, nothing could be done over the last eight months or so in view of the pandemic and all criminal trials being stalled in its wake.

Considering the gravity of the offence and the large-scale dealings in counterfeit currency in this part of the country, it may not

be appropriate to release the petitioner at this stage. The prayer for bail is rejected.

CRM 7670 of 2020 is disposed of.

(Sanjib Banerjee, J.) (Aniruddha Roy, J.)