Abdul Sajed S/O Abdul Sattar vs The State Of Maharashtra
- Citation2011 SCC OnLine Bom 127
Ratio decidendi
The rule this decision rests on
The court's decision rests on the following ratio: Where an application for anticipatory bail is filed and the trial court has cancelled interim protection previously granted, on finding fresh material brought subsequently on record by the prosecution—such as original documents, transcribed recordings, and statements of co-accused—that material can be examined by the appellate court to reassess whether the conclusions reached by the trial court remain consonant with the evidence. The appellate court may affirm the trial court's rejection of anticipatory bail where, upon independent scrutiny of the entire material, the trial court's findings are supported by the record. In deciding anticipatory bail applications, the court must weigh several factors including the gravity of the allegations, the nature and seriousness of the proposed charges, the antecedents of the applicant, the reasonable possibility of presence being secured at trial, reasonable apprehension of witness tampering, the public or state interest in proper investigation, the applicant's likelihood of repeating similar offences, and whether the accusation appears motivated by malice or by genuine justice. The interest of society in ensuring proper investigation of serious offences alleged to involve extortion and demand of ransom is a material consideration that may justify refusing anticipatory bail. Where the applicants are influential persons holding political office (such as corporators), their release may reasonably apprehend tampering with prosecution evidence or witnesses, which is a relevant factor militating against anticipatory bail.
Written by Miss Lucy from the judgment below, not taken from a headnote.
Judgment
As delivered
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VERSUS
1. The State of Maharashtra
2. The Commissioner of Police, Aurangabad. .. RESPONDENTS.
... Shri V.J. Dixit, Sr. Counsel with Shri N.S. Ghanekar, Advocate for applicant. Shri S.G. Nandedkar, A.P.P. for State.
Shri P.F. Patni, Advocate to assist APP. ... ig &
CRIMINAL APPLICATION NO.208 OF 2011.
Shaikh Ibrahim Patel s/o Shaikh Hussain Patel, age 51 years, occu. agril., r/o Naigaon,
Tq. & Dist. Aurangabad, at present residing at
Fajalpura, Aurangabad, Tq. & Dist. Aurangabad. .. APPLICANT.
VERSUS
1. The State of Maharashtra through Begampura Police Station, Aurangabad.
2. The Superintendent of Police,
Aurangabad. .. RESPONDENTS.
... Shri Rajendra Deshmukh, Advocate for applicant. Shri S.G. Nandedkar, A.P.P. for State. Shri S.G. Ladda, Advocate to assist APP. ...
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CORAM : S.S. SHINDE,J.
1st FEBRUARY, 2011.
PER COURT:
1. These three applications have been filed
by the applicants seeking anticipatory bail in
connection with CR No.157/2010 registered at
Begampura Police Station, Aurangabad for
offence punishable under Sections 384, 420,
468, 504 r.w. 34 of I.P.C.
2. All the three applicants herein filed bail
petitions before the Additional Sessions
Judge-4, Aurangabad. By order dated 11.1.2011,
their applications came to be rejected.
Hence, these applications seeking anticipatory
bail.
3. The complainant Kadari Anwar s/o Kadari
Jahoor, r/o Patel Planet, Jatwada Road,
Aurangabad lodged complaint dated 14.12.2010
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with Begampura Police Station, Aurangabad. The
English translation of the said complaint, as
is supplied by the prosecution, reads thus:
"Date : 14/12/2010
COMPLAINT (FROM MARATHI TO ENGLISH)
I, Quadri Anwar S/o Quadri Zahoor
Ahmed, Age : 34 yrs Occupation- Business, R/o Patel Planet Jatwada Road, Aurangabad lodge complaint before the P.S. Begampura.
I reside along with my family at
above mentioned address and do plotting business. My brother namely Ifteqar
Quadri run the business in the name of Pragati Pvt. Ltd., I purchased the land situated at Himayat Nagar, Tq-Dist. Aurangabad survey no. 19/1 from its
undisputed owner/original owner from 1956 namely Shri Sandu s/o Dhondiba Dube by giving paper publication. Our transaction has been completed by mutual consent and we are taking the benefit of such land. Corporator Abdul Sajed Abdul Sattar do not
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have any concerned with said land.
In Oct. 2010 I can't remember the date, in morning near about 11 to 12. Coporator Abdul Sajed Abdul Sattar called
me and my brother by phone and asked to meet him at his home Chelipura, there he told that the land which you have
purchased you have done illegal
transaction and if you want to do plotting in green belt, you will have to pay me Rs.
25,00,000/- other wise people of corporation on my direction will lodge FIR & false complaint & restrained you and
your brother from doing business. In your sale deed my friend namely Khalil has
attached Fabricated N.A. and if same is given to the police, they will take action against you, saying this if you will not
pay me money, you will face the consequences and in like manner threatened me. I was afraid of the threat given to me
by Abdul Sajed Abdul Sattar and we asked him we need time to think & grant us the time. That to think & grant us the time. That after also we do not paid him extortion amount due to this they published false news in the daily news paper Aurangabad times & Aurangabad
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Express and influenced me by preparing the fabricated G.P.A. of Saeed Bin Salam in
the name of Ibrahim Patel with an expectation that I will give money.
Person of corporator Abdul Sajed Abdul Sattar namely Sk. Raees Shaikh Razzak went to various offices and
collected the personal documents and by showing ig the said faults concerned demands the money of extortion & to the person
to us also threatened that give the money to Sajed Builder as per his demand other wise it will go hard to you. Then after
also the persons of Sajed Builders continued to threatened and demanding the
extortion and as I had not given them the extortion money, on 12/11/2010 at 3.00 p.m. building officer of corporation
namely Sangewar came along with 20 to 25 persons and without any prior intimation & any notice or the Government Order,
assaulted the labours at the plot and took the articles of the shed which was there for the purpose to give the shelter to the labour with them.
Abdul Sajed Builder in the meeting of standing committee in the first week of
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December without any proof raised the question that our land belongs to
corporation & also published the fake & fabricated news in the daily news paper and to influenced us by sending town
planning and development officer & building officer Sangewar, Shaikh Kader and Anwar Khan repeatedly. Amongst them
building officer Anwar Khan used to come
and
at our land by the order of Sajid Builder used to tell, that you meet to
Corporator. Abdul Sajid Builder and give them the money as per their demand and get your issue solved.
Thereafter building inspector Anwar
Khan and Shaikh Kadar without giving me any explanation and prior notice, took with them the six iron poles which were
erected in my field. My watchmen Azim Khan Hayat Khan informed me about the incidence and on account of his information. I from
my mobile phone called to Building Inspector Anwar his mobile phone he told me that we will negotiate and told to come at the garage of Rashid Bhai near collector office Masjid & hence we both brother went there in the evening. He informed us how his and Sajed Builders
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extortion transaction works, and told us to give the money to Sajed Builder as per
demand, he is dangerous person. Than after we both brothers met him two to three times and he used to inform from his phone
to Sajed Builder about the negotiations of meeting. As decided in the said meeting we through the mediation of Anwar Khan on
10/12/2010 while going to house of Abdul
Sajid Abdul Sattar, Chelipura expectations to get solved the matter by with
request, I brought Rs. 1000000 (ten lakhs) with me and negotiated with him and handed over the said amount to him. Before taking
the said amount Sajed Builder from, his mobile called there Corporator Abdul Rauf
alias Khalil Khan, Ibrahim Patel and Shaikh Raees Abdul Razzak who were his companions helped him in the matter & all
of them discussed with me. I requested to finish the matter in the amount of Rs. 1000000 which I was handed over to them
but they told me that we will discuss again on the matter on 12/12/2010 on Sunday. On 12/12/2010 in afternoon on Second Meeting. Corporator Sajed Builder thinking that I am afraid from him told me that you have to pay Rs. 700000/- and told that the said amount in the said matter
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they made fabricated N.A. of my land and he has to distribute to Shaikh Raees Abdul
Razzak, Shaikh Ibrahim Patel who helped him in the matter and shown me the documents of properties and files of
income tax of different persons and the fabricated N.A. of my land and narrated that how he traps the people. As Sajed
Builder demanded me the huge amount and it
after
was not possible for me to give and hence also he will tease me in like
manner, hence I with an intention to get caught him red-handed while accepting the extorted money, proceeded to negotiate
further.
On 13/12/2010 afternoon at about 2 p.m. Anwar Khan called me on phone and asked me my address and came at my home
and explained me to give the 7000000 and told to give Rs. 2000000 from the said amount on 14/12/2010 and went out. I have
recorded all the negotiations of meeting and also of repeated calls of Anwar Khan and also given the complaint in police station against him.
As was decided yesterday, from the demanded extortion amount of 7000000/-
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Anwar Khan on 14/12/2010 was to come and I was not with the intention to give, I came
to police station Begampura and informed about the said to the police inspector Shri Lahane he informed his seniors.
I am not willing to give the extortion amount and I want to caught red
handed accepting the extortion amount.
Hence I prepared bundle of Rs. 20 Lakhs which like it in the manner. I used Rs.
40,000/- to which I kept Rs. One Thousand Note at top and at the bottom and in between the blank papers of the size of
notes. In this I prepared 20 bundles, I informed this on the account of this
information police called Two Panch Witness and informed the staff and planned to arrange the trap and sand me to my
house with the bundles of notes which I have prepared then after at my home in surroundings police arranged the trap. In
afternoon at 12.45 p.m. building inspector of corporation Anwar Khan who was sent by Sajed Builder came to my home, negotiations took place between us and I gave him Rs. 20 Lakh (Twenty Lakh) bundles which I was prepared to give as an extortion money on that only the police
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who were in trap at my home and in surroundings attack & caught Anwar Khan
red handed accepting the extortion amount.
Hence today dated 14/12/10 at 13.05
at my residential house Patel Planet corporator Abdul Sajed Abdul Sattar (Sajid Builder) & his companions namely Anwar
Khan building Inspector Corporation,
Aurangabad, Shaikh Ibrahim Shaikh Hussain Patel, Shaikh Raees Abdul Razzak,
Corporator Abdul Rauf Khalil Khan through a conspiracy in my own lands matter prepared fabricated N.A. & demanded the
extortion of Rs. 70,00,000/- ( 70 Lakhs) & from the said amount Anwar Khan building
inspector get caught red handed while accepting the extortion amount of Rs. 20,00,000/-. hence I request to take legal
action against therefore said persons & the persons prepared & fabricated N.A. By above said complaint in returned I read it
is true to the best of my knowledge."
4. The applicant Abdul Sajed s/o Abdul
Sattar, who has filed Criminal application No.
190 of 2011 seeking anticipatory bail, has
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contended in his application that he is
elected Corporator of Municipal Corporation,
Aurangabad and member of the Standing
Committee and they raised issue regarding the
said property in Standing Committee on
6.12.2010 and his intention is to protect the
property of the Government i.e. Aurangabad
Municipal Corporation. According to him, due
to illegal acts of one Sandu Dhondiba Dube and
the complainant, he had filed several
complaints / applications to several
Government Authorities to take appropriate
action against them. It is his contention
that the complaint is filed against him with
an intention to malign his image in the
society and in order to attack his social
status. According to him, no specific
allegation is levelled against him in the
F.I.R., he is a reputed person in the society
being elected Corporator of the Municipal
Corporation, Aurangabad.
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5. Another Applicant Shaikh Ibrahim Shaikh
Hussein Patel has contended that he is General
Power of Attorney holder of Sayyadbin Salem,
who sold 7 acres 7 gunthas land to Sandu
Dhondiba Dube and his brother. According to
him, 2 acres and 30 gunthas land is still in
possession of the legal heirs of Sayyadbin
Salem and he tried to enter the names of the
legal heirs in the revenue record and,
therefore, he has been falsely implicated in
the complaint. He further stated that no
specific allegations are levelled against him
in the F.I.R. According to him, nothing has
been recovered from him and he is a reputed
person in the society. Therefore, he prayed
for grant of anticipatory bail.
6. Another applicant namely, Abdul Rauf @
Khalilkhan has contended that the case of the
complainant is highly improbable regarding
ransom as alleged in the F.I.R. There is no
specific allegation in the F.I.R. against him.
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He contended that nothing has been recovered
from him and he is falsely involved in the
crime.
7. The learned Counsel Mr. V.D. Sapkal,
appearing for the applicant Abdul Sajed s/o
Abdul Sattar submitted that on 14.12.2010 one
Kadari Anwar Ahmed s/o Kadari Juhur lodged the
complaint in the Begampura Police Station
making allegations that he is dealing in plots
and purchased Sur.No.19/1 from one Sandu
Dhondiba Dube. It is submitted that one
G.P.A. holder of Sayyadbin Salem has filed
complaint on 30th September, 2010 to the
Commissioner of Municipal Corporation and it
was mentioned in the complaint that by using
forged N.A. order, property in green belt
possessed by Sayyadbin Salem is sold. Copy of
the said communication was marked to the
present applicant for raising point in
corporation. The Talathi of Aurangabad issued
communication under the R.T.I. Act on
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11.10.2010 stating that Sandu Dhondiba Dube
has no land in Himayatbag, more particularly,
in Sur No.19/1. The learned Counsel invited
my attention to the said communication, which
is placed on record. It is further submitted
that applicant filed application to the
Registrar on 11.10.2010 requesting to supply
copies of sale deed of Sur.No.19/1. It was
mentioned in the said application that the
property is in green zone and no sale deed can
be executed. On 19.10.2010, the applicant
approached to the District
Collector,Aurangabad requesting to supply
original copy of the N.A. order which was used
by Sandu Dhondiba Dube. On 18.10.2010 the
applicant approached the Assistant Director,
Town Planning requesting to supply of order
dated 6.2.2010 which was referred in the N.A.
order. On 19.10.2010, communication was
received by the applicant from the Assistant
Director, Town Planning stating therein that
the order dated 6.2.2010 is not issued by the
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Department and therefore, copy cannot be
given. On 20th October, 2010, the applicant
made complaint to the District Collector
intimating that one Sandu Dhondu Dube is using
forged N.A. order and selling property with
the help of some agent. It was also brought
to his notice that copies of all N.A. Orders
from 1.4.2010 to 18.10.2010 be made available.
It was also mentioned that the Government is
put to loss of crores of rupees and,
therefore, action be taken. On 30th October,
2010 the applicant issued communication to the
Assistant Registrar, requesting him that
copies are not being supplied to him. On
18.11.2010, the applicant issued reminder to
the Collector. On 20.11.2010, the applicant
requested the Administrative Officer of the
Corporation that land of Kham river is being
encroached and, therefore, offence be
registered against the complainant and Sandu
Dhondiba Dube. On 22.11.2010, the applicant
approached to the Administrative Officer
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requesting him that 5 acres land of river i.e.
(Gal Per) is being encroached by the
complainant and one Sandu Dhondiba Dube, bogus
N.A. order is prepared and plots are made,
therefore, offence be registered against the
concerned persons. On 23.11.2010 again he
wrote letter to the Collector stating therein
that when several requests are made, no action
is taken. Therefore, it seems that in
collusion with Officers of the Collectorate,
the complainant is doing illegal business of
plotting and using 5 acres land of
corporation. It is further argued that the GPA
holder of Sayyadbin Salem came to know that
the complainant got prepared forged map and,
therefore, he filed complaint dated
22.11.2010. It is the case of the applicant
that when the corporation authorities were
taking lawful action against the complainant,
the complainant managed the police officers
and brought pressure on corporation. On 25th
November, 2010, there was communication from
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the Police Officer directing the officers of
the Municipal Corporation to remain present.
It is further case of the applicant that there
were several disputes between Sandu Dube and
the complainant and GPA of Sayyadbin Salem
and, therefore, paper publication was issued
through Advocate on 22.11.2010 in almost all
the papers.
ig It was mentioned in the paper
publication that plots are being sold by using
forged N.A. order. It was also mentioned that
the property is in green belt and Sandu Dube
has no property in Survey No.19/1. On
2.12.2010, the present applicant made request
to the Collector that action be taken against
Sandu Dube and the complainant for preparing
forged N.A. order. On 3.12.2010, the present
applicant approached the Commissioner,
Municipal Corporation, making grievance that
the property in green belt is being sold by
the present complainant and Sandu Dube by
using forged N.A. order and, therefore,
offence be registered in City Police Station.
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On 4.12.2010, complaint was submitted tothe
Police Station by Shaikh Ibrahim Shaikh
Hussain. It was mentioned that there is stay
granted by the Deputy Superintendent of Land
Records to the map prepared by him. On
4.12.2010 complaint was made to the
Administrative Officer making grievance that
Anwar Kadari is encroaching on river land as
well as on the land of Corporation. On
4.12.2010, the applicant approached the Police
Commissioner as well as Divisional
Commissioner making reference of his earlier
correspondence and requested for immediate
action. On 5.12.2010 Shaikh Ibrahim
approached the Commissioner of Police and
requested for taking action against the
complainant stating that the property of the
corporation is being grabbed by him with the
help of bogus N.A. order and the same be
stopped immediately.
8. In General Body meeting of the
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Corporation, the subject of illegal plots and
encroachment was discussed. The Sabhapati
passed order for registration of crime. On
6th December, 2010, Shaikh Ibrahim approached
to the Commissioner making similar grievance.
The applicant made the grievance in the
meeting on 6.12.2010. It was reflected in the
newspaper dated 7.12.2010. He raised point
that on the basis of forged N.A. order, 115
plots are sold and, therefore, action be
taken. On 7.12.2010 Shaikh Ibrahim
approached to the Commissioner of Police and
requested to lodge criminal complaint in City
Chowk Police Station. On 7.12.2010 the
Commissioner, Municipal Corporation wrote a
letter to the District Collector and informed
that bogus N.A. order is prepared and this
matter falls within the jurisdiction of the
Collectorate. It was requested that F.I.R.
should be registered against the complainant
and Sandu Dhondiba Dube and all the concerned.
On 8.12.2010 application was filed by the
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Officers of the Corporation making complaint
to the Police Station. On the same date, the
applicant approached to the Collector
reiterating his grievance. On 10.12.2010, the
applicant approached to the Divisional
Commissioner as he being the highest officer
of the region and brought to his notice that
all illegalities are being committed by the
office of the Registrar and Collector and sale
deeds are being executed by Sandu Dube and the
complainant. On 13.12.2010, again applicant
approached to the Collector and also the
Registrar. It is argued further that the
Collector verified the fact from their record
and on 25.4.2010, directions are issued to
register crime against the complainant. It is
further argued that not only directions are
issued by the Collector to register offence
against the complainant but, directions were
issued to the Dy. Superintendent to look into
the matter in respect of map which was
prepared at the instance of the complainant.
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On 12.1.2011 the Superintendent of Land
Records cancelled earlier map dated 28th
April, 2010 and issued fresh map. Further
details are brought to my notice by the
learned Counsel for the applicant. He invited
my attention to the pleadings in the
application and submitted that when the
applicant ig has approached to several
authorities to take action against the
complainant and one Sandu Dhondiba Dube for
preparing forged N.A. order and for
encroaching and selling plots on the
Corporation land, which is in green belt, the
question of asking for ransom or alleged
extortion of money does not arise. According
to the learned Counsel for the applicant, the
applicant raised this issue in the Corporation
meeting and therefore, there is no any reason
why he will ask for any amount from the
complainant.
9. It is further submitted that the applicant
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herein has been elected as Corporator of
Aurangabad Municipal Corporation for second
consecutive term, he is Vice President of
District Congress Committee since 12-13 years.
He is elected as opposition leader from
2006-07 and 2007-08. Applicant was elected as
Chairman of Standing Committee of Corporation
from 2008-09, 2009-10 and right now he is Gat
Neta in the Corporation as recognized by the
Divisional Commissioner, Aurangabad and,
therefore, to malign his image, false
complaint is filed by the complainant. He is
not beneficiary nor has any interest in the
transaction of the complainant and section 420
of I.P.C., cannot be attracted. On the
contrary, it can be attracted against the
complainant. The CD prepared by the
complainant does not disclose that the
applicant demanded Rs.70 lakhs. It is further
submitted that though it is stated by the
complainant in the F.I.R. that he is owner of
purchasing the land from Sandu Dube, the
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record shows that he had purchased only 10
gunthas of land from Sandu Dube. It is
further submitted that the said land is in
green belt and also to the extent of 5 acres,
the Corporation is owner of the said land.
Though the applicant approached to various
authorities, no attention was given to his
complaint.
ig However, now offence is registered
against the complainant and Sandu Dhondiba
Dube recently for preparing forged N.A. order.
The learned Counsel further submitted that
extortion is contemplated u/s 384 of the
I.P.C., which can be made in secrecy.
However, the record shows that said provision
is not satisfied. The applicant attended the
police station every day between 9.00 a.m. to
2.00 p.m. from 31.12.2010 to 10.1.2011. In
case, bail is not granted to the applicant,
his prestige of the applicant will be lowered
down in the society and his political career
will be damaged. It is further submitted that
in fact, all the persons those who can be
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witnesses against the complainant and illegal
activities of complainant and Sandu Dube, are
made accused with the help of police only with
a view that they should not open their mouth.
If the arrest of the applicant is caused, in
such circumstances the purpose of the
complainant will be satisfied. The Counsel
further
submitted that already offence is
registered against the complainant and Sandu
Dhondiba Dube u/s 420, 464, 467, 468, 471,
182(B) r/w 34 of I.P.C. The learned Counsel
further invited my attention to the annexures
annexed to the application, pleadings therein
and the grounds taken in the application and
submitted that there is no question of any
demand from the complainant as alleged in the
complaint. It is further submitted that the
Fragmentation Act is applicable in the
Corporation Limit. He further submitted that
all the sale deeds are bogus and the same are
prepared on the basis of bogus N.A. order
which was prepared by the complainant and
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Sandu Dube. It is further submitted that when
the applicant raised the issue in the meeting
of the Corporation on 6th December, 2010, he
did mention the name of Anwar Khan that he
might have been negotiating the matter with
the complainant. He further invited my
attention to the correspondence made to
various authorities and also all annexures and
submitted that the application of the
applicant deserves to be allowed.
10. Mr. Sapkal, learned Counsel for applicant
invited my attention to the judgment of the
Apex Court in the case of Siddharam
Satlingappa Mhetre vs. State of Maharashtra
and ors., reported in 2010(12) SCALE 691 and
submitted that the scope of Section 438 of
Cr.P.C. has been explained in detail in the
said judgment. He relied on the following
observations and guidelines laid down by the
Apex Court in the aforesaid judgment:
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"..... We are clearly of the view that no attempt should be made to provide rigid
and inflexible guidelines in this respect because all circumstances and situations of future cannot be clearly visualized for
the grant or refusal of anticipatory bail. In consonance with the legislative intention the grant or refusal of
anticipatory bail should necessarily
case.
depend on facts and circumstances of each As aptly observed in the
Constitution Bench decision in Sibbia's case (supra) that the High Court or the Court of Sessions to exercise their
jurisdiction under section 438 Cr.P.C. by a wise and careful use of their discretion
which by their long training and experience they are ideally suited to do. In any event, this is the legislative
mandate which we are bound to respect and honour.
11. Mr. Dixit, learned Senior Counsel
appearing for the applicant Abdul Rauf Khan @
Khalil Khan s/o Mahemood Khan submitted that
the this applicant has been falsely involved
in the crime. There is no specific
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allegations against the applicant. On the
contrary, the complainant himself alongwith
Sandu Dube, has been involved in the
preparation of forged N.A. order and in
selling illegally the land of Corporation.
When the N.A. order is part and parcel of the
sale deed, there is no question of inserting
the same later on. It is the complainant
who in collusion with others forged the N.A.
order and got the sale deed executed. The
allegations of the complainant about demanding
extortion of Rs.70/- lakhs is highly
improbable since the land in question was
purchased by the complainant for Rs.2,30,000/-
only. There is no evidence of involvement of
applicant in the crime and the complainant has
implicated the applicant falsely with the aid
of police. The learned Counsel for the
applicant, therefore, submitted that the
applicant deserves to be released on
anticipatory bail in the said crime.
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12. Mr. Rajendra Deshmukh, learned Counsel
appearing for Applicant Shaikh Ibrahim Shaikh
Hussein Patel has submitted that he is General
Power of Attorney holder of Sayyadbin Salem,
who sold 7 acres 7 gunthas land to Sandu
Dhondiba Dube and his brother Dhanaji.
According to him, 2 acres and 30 gunthas land
is still in possession of the legal heirs and
the present applicant tried to initiated his
work in respect of entering the names of the
legal heirs in the revenue record and,
therefore, he has been falsely involved in the
complaint. He further stated that no specific
allegations are levelled against him in the
F.I.R. It is submitted that when the
applicant got knowledge about the forged N.A.
order, the applicant has filed so many
complaints before various authorities
including Divisional Commissioner, Municipal
Commissioner and police, making grievance
about the forged documents prepared by the
complainant to grab the said land. The
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learned Counsel submitted that the Sandu Dube
and his brother has already sold his entire
property.
13. The learned Counsel for the applicant
submitted that the applicant has no concern
with the alleged offence, he being G.P.A.
holder
of Sayeed Bin Salem Chous, he was
trying to protect the interest of the legal
heirs of Sayeed Bin Salem Chous. When he
noticed the forgery committed by the
complainant and others, he made complaints
against them. Therefore, he is falsely
involved in the crime. He submitted that the
real culprits are Sandu Dube and the
complainant, but yet, no action is taken
against them. He submitted that recently,
complaint regarding the misdeeds of the
complainant has been lodged by the concerned
authorities, who noticed that forged N.A.
order has been prepared by them. The learned
Counsel further submitted that the applicant
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has been granted interim protection and the
applicant is a reputed person in society, he
is a law abiding citizen and will not flee
from justice if he is granted bail. The
Counsel submitted that in view of the peculiar
facts and circumstances involved in this
matter, the applicant deserves to be released
on
anticipatory bail by imposing certain
conditions, deemed fit.
14. The learned counsel Mr. Ladda appearing
for the complainant submitted that, there are
direct allegations against all the accused
persons. The contents of complaint
specifically speaks about the meeting of mind
and conspiracy committed by all the accused.
It is further submitted that, the N. A. orders
were inserted by accused Khalil Khan through
whom complainant got executed sale deeds and
who was aware about the documents and about
the transaction entered into by the
complainant with Sandu Dube. The said
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document is inserted with the connivance of
accused Mr. Abdul Sajed. It is further
submitted that, it cannot be said that Khalil
Khan has no relation with the accused Abdul
Sajed. The learned counsel submitted that,
out of original survey No. 19 Sandu and his
brother have purchased 4 Acres 38 Guntha land
on 12.05.1966 by registered sale deed. The
original land bearing Sy. No. 19 was belonging
to one Mr. Sayyadbin Salem Chaus. On
12.05.1966 4 Acres 38 1/2 Guntha land was
purchased by Sandu and Dhanaji. The said
portion is on Eastern side. The second sale
deed was executed on 22.05.1970 in favour of
Sandu and Dhanaji. The said land was sold by
Sayyadbin Salem Chaus, the area of said land
was 02 Acre 08Guntha. Said portion was on
Western side. The total area which was sold
to Sandu and Dhanji was 07 Acres 06 1/2 Guntha
out of 09 Acre 37 Guntha. The 02 Acre 30 1/2
Guntha land remained with the original owner.
It is further submitted that, by mutation
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entry No. 85 on 31.12.1970 the Sy. No. 19 was
divided into Sy. No. 19/1 and 19/2. The Sy.
No. 19/1 is to the extent of land 07 Acre 06
1/2 guntha purchased by Sandu and Dhanaji and
remaining land 02 Acres 30 1/2 G is given Sy.
No. 19/2 which remained with the original land
owner. The name of Sayyedbin Salem Chaus is
deleted vide mutation entry NO. 67 from Sy.
No. 19/1. It is further submitted that,
remaining land from Sy. No. 19/2 was sold by
Sayyedbin Salem Chaus on 25.02.1986 to the
extent of 41R in favour of one Mr. Habib
Ahemmad by sale deed day book No. 1152. By
another sale deed 41R land was sold to one Mr.
Habib Hasan by sale deed day book NO. 1790 on
25.07.1990. Remaining 28 1/2 guntha land was
sold by the original land owner on
10.06.1994 by sale deed Day Book No. 1529.
Therefore, the learned counsel for the
complainant would submit that, the entire land
was sold by the original land owner Sayyadbin
Salem Chaus under five sale deeds and last
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transaction was on 10.06.1994. Therefore,
after 10th June, 1994, the original owner did
not possess any land. The counsel submitted
that, the Sy. No. 19/1 admeasuring 07 Acre 06
1/2 Guntha land belongs to Sandu and Dhanaji.
15. The learned counsel invited my attention
to page
38 of the compilation in Criminal
Application No. 208/2011 and submitted that,
alleged power of attorney given in favour of
one of the accused Shri Shaikh Ibrahim Shaikh
Hussain Patel is on 09th December, 2010.
According to said Shaikh Ibrahim Shaikh
Hussain Patel, the said power of attorney is
given by the legal representatives of
Sayyedbin Salem Chaus. The learned counsel
invited my attention to page 40 of the
compilation and submitted that, it is the case
of the legal representatives of Sayyedbin
Salem Chaus as reflected in their complaint
that, the revenue entries i. e. 7/12 extracts
are not in their name since they could not
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take steps to enter the revenue entries,
because of illiteracy and week economical
position and, therefore, they are giving this
power of attorney in favour of Mr. Ajalkhan
and Gulamkhan and Shaikh Ibrahim Shaikh
Hussain Patel. The counsel for the
complainant submitted that, the legal
representatives of Sayyedbin Salem Chaus
having no concern or any claim over the
property in Sy. No. 19/2 since entire property
was sold by the Sayyedbin Salem Chaus before
his death i. e. 10.06.1994. Learned counsel
submitted that, one of the accused Mr. Shaikh
Ibrahim Shaikh Hussain Patel has no concern
whatsoever with the land from Sy. No. 19/2.
Suddenly started addressing letters to the
authorities from the month of September, 2010.
According to the counsel for the complainant
when the power of attorney is given on 09th
December, 2010, there is no question of
addressing any letter by Shri Shaikh Ibrahim
Shaikh Hussain Patel from the month of
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September, 2010 to the various authorities.
According to the counsel appearing for the
complainant, Shaikh Ibrahim Shaikh Hussain
Patel got the interest created. The counsel
invited my attention to the page 38 of the
compilation i. e. first page of the power of
attorney document and submitted that, Shaikh
Ibrahim Shaikh Hussain Patel has purchased the
stamp of Rs. 2,05,500/- and created his
interest, though the entire land was sold by
deceased Sayyedbin Salem Chaus before June
1994. His legal representatives have no right
to give power of attorney to the Shaikh
Ibrahim Shaikh Hussain Patel, however, it is
collected to create such documents so as to
create interest in the said property. Learned
counsel submitted that, so far 07 Acres 06 1/2
Guntha land from Sy. No. 19/1 is concerned the
complainant entered into agreement to sell on
21st April, 2010 with Sandu Dhondu. It is
submitted that, after agreement to sell was
entered for the area of 05 Acres 10 Guntha
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from Sy. No. 19/1, paper publication was given
on 20th May, 2010 in the news paper "Daily
Lokmat" stating there in that complainant has
entered into agreement to sell and if anybody
has objection about the said transaction, said
can be objected within one week from the date
of publication. It is further submitted that,
as nobody has objected for the said agreement
to sell or transaction including the
applicants herein. Therefore, from 11th June,
2010 to 20th August, 2010, the complainant
purchased 02 Acres 20 Guntha land through 20
sale deeds. It is the submission of the
learned counsel for the complainant that, as
per the availability of finance he has
purchased said land through 20 sale deeds.
Learned counsel submitted that, he has paid
around Rs. 1,34,50,000/- to Sandu towards
consideration. The learned counsel submitted
that in all the sale deeds, there is no
mention about N. A. There was no any reason
for the complainant to put bogus N. A. orders
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in the sale deeds. No. N. A. order attached
to any of the sale deeds. The learned counsel
invited my attention to page 39 of the
compilation in Criminal Application No.
208/2001 to contend that no N. A. order was
attached to any of the sale deed. Learned
counsel further submitted that, the stamp
which was purchased and used for sale deed, on
top of said stamp paper it is written that
stamp is purchased from Abdul Samikhan. Said
Abdul Samikhan i. e. stamp vendor is real
brother of accused Kahlil Khan. Mr. Khalil
Khan accused is service provider and he uses
word "K.K." for identification. The learned
counsel submitted that, after registration of
sale deed in the Sub Registrars Office, one
copy of the original documents was returned to
the complainant and other copies were sent for
work of scanning. The work of scanning is
given on contract by the Government to Mr.
Khalil Khan i. e. one of the accused on
contract basis. It is the contention of the
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learned counsel for the complainant that, out
of remaining documents which were given by the
Sub Registrar Office to Khalil Khan, out of
two copies of 7/12 extract, one was removed by
said Khalil Khan and the another copy of
document i. e. identity proof was also removed
and the alleged document of N. A. is inserted
by said
Khalil Khan in the said portion.
According to the learned counsel for the
complainant, the word "Akar" refers to
agricultural land and said was written in said
documents and, therefore, there was no
question of inserting bogus N. A. orders by
the complainant in the documents of the sale
deed. These documents as stated herein before
are inserted by the said Khalil Khan by
removing one copy of 7/12 extract and the copy
of identity proof. Therefore, the counsel for
the complainant would submit that, the said
act of the Khalil Khan is with connivance
another accused Mr. Abdul Sajed. The learned
counsel further submitted that, when the
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complainant noticed that the bogus documents
of N. A. are inserted by the said Khalil Khan,
he lodged complaint with the Collector on
26.11.2010. The learned counsel invited my
attention to para 43 of the order of the
Sessions Court and submitted that, the
Sessions Court has taken a note of all the
sale deeds and on verification of sale deeds
found that no such N. A. order is there at all
and recorded that unless and until said bogus
N. A. was original sale deeds in the copies of
sale deed taken no found place. The learned
counsel further submitted that, there is no
record showing that land from Sy. No. 19/2
belongs to Corporation or State Government.
The learned counsel also submitted that, one
Mr. Zanjan employee of Corporation has stated
that, the said land does not belong to
Corporation. The learned counsel further
submitted that, taking into consideration
sale deeds and also transcription produced by
the complainant and other material brought on
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record by the prosecution the Sessions Court
has cancelled the interim bail granted to the
three applicants/accused. The learned counsel
invited my attention to the judgment of this
Court in the case of Gabriel Joseph v. Feroz
Gulam Sarvar Khan and others, reported in 1992
Cri. L. J. 458 and more particularly para 4
and 8 of the said judgment. The counsel also
invited my attention to the reported judgment
of this Court in case of State of Maharashtra
Vs. Santosh Hraman Urankar & others reported
in 2005 (1) Bom. C. R. (Cri.) 513 and para 5
and 13 in particular. Learned counsel also
invited my attention to another judgment of
the Gujrat High Court in case of Jitendra
Narayanbhai Rajgor v. State of Gujrat reported
in 2005 Cri. L. J. 2371 and more particularly
para 35 of the said judgment. Learned counsel
further invited my attention to the reported
judgment of the Hon'ble Supreme Court in case
of Naresh Kumar Yadav Vs. Ravindra Kumar and
others reported in 2008 All SCR 91 and
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submitted that the power exercisable under S.
438 is some what extraordinary in character
and it is only in exceptional cases where it
appears that the person may be falsely
implicated or where there are reasonable
grounds for holding that a person accused of
an offence is not likely to otherwise misuse
his liberty, then power is to be exercised
under Sec. 438.
16. Therefore, the counsel for the complainant
submitted that, the Sessions Court has already
refused the anticipatory bail to the
applicants and, therefore, this Court may not
entertain the applications of the applicants
for the anticipatory bail.
17. The learned counsel Mr. Patani appearing
in one of the application for the complainant
submitted that, the conversation between the
complainant and accused persons from 1 and 1/2
month before lodging the complaint is recorded
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by the complainant and said is handed over to
the concerned I. O. investigating into the
matter. The counsel submitted that, said
conversation between the complainant and
accused persons has not been denied by the
applicants/accused. They have also not denied
the telephonic recording of conversation
between the complainant and accused persons.
It is submitted that for identification of
voice custodial interrogation of the accused
applicant is necessary. The learned counsel
submitted that, the permission for N. A. was
sought by the complainant from the Collector
for 13445.11 square meters. However, the
applicants are misleading and trying to show
that the N. A. permission was sought for 4H
02R. The counsel also submitted that, there
is no substance in the contention of the
applicants that, the signatures of Mr. Dube
are forged. It is further submitted that, the
contention of the applicant is that by way of
Khasra Patrak, the Corporation is owner of the
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said land. However, in Khasra Patrak no name
of the Corporation or Government is shown.
The counsel invited my attention to the letter
written by Deputy Commissioner (CIDCO) to the
Commissioner, Municipal Corporation,
Aurangabad in which it is specifically stated
that, the Corporation is no way connected with
the land from Sy. No. 19/1 situated at Himayat
Nagar. The counsel further submitted that,
since the applicants are influential persons
and two of them are corporators , they have
influenced the authorities and they are
trying to influence the authorities and
creating record against the complainant. The
complainant is not any political personality.
The learned counsel invited my attention to
the reported judgment of this Court in case of
Rajesh Kumar Vs. State of Maharashtra reported
in 200 All MR (Cri) 1739 and more particularly
para 3 of the said judgment and submitted
that, the anticipatory bail should be granted
only in appropriate cases and same should not
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be granted in the cases like one in hand. The
counsel further submitted that, the details
about the phone calls is called by the
concerned I. O. who is investigating into the
matter. The counsel therefore, submitted
that, the applicant/accused does not deserve
to be released on anticipatory bail. The
Sessions ig Court taking into consideration
entire material brought on record has rejected
the application for anticipatory bail filed by
the accused. Therefore, this Court may reject
the application for anticipatory bail.
18. The learned A.P.P. Mr. Nandedkar appearing
for the State invited my attention to the
contents of the complaint and submitted that
serious allegations are made in the complaint,
which need to be investigated thoroughly and
for further investigation, custodial
interrogation of the applicants / accused is
necessary. It is further submitted that when
interim protection was granted to the
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applicants, though they attended the police
station, they did not cooperate with the
investigating machinery. The learned A.P.P.
further submitted that the applicant / accused
Abdul Sajed has taken an amount of Rs.10 lakhs
from the complainant as alleged in the
complaint and he has accepted the said amount
for himself as well as on behalf of other co-
accused and also demanded further amount of
Rs.70 lakhs.
19. The A.P.P. submitted that the offences
alleged against the applicants are serious in
nature, since huge amount was demanded as
extortion. He submitted further that the land
in dispute does not belong to Government or
Corporation as the same fact is stated by Mr.
Shivaji Zanzan, Administrative Officer of the
Aurangabad Municipal Corporation, Aurangabad.
He invited my attention to the statement of
Mr. Zanzan and submitted that Mr. Zanzan has
stated that the land is agricultural land and
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it cannot be used for plotting as stated by
the Planning Department of the Corporation.
The learned A.P.P. submitted that the
applicant Shaikh Ibrahim became G.P.A. holder
of heirs of Sayeedbin Salem Chaus only on 9th
December, 2010. Therefore, there was no
question of having his any interest in the
said land prior to that date. He further
submitted that the statements of Talathi and
Tahsildar are recorded and in their
statements, they have stated that Sayeedbin
Salem Chaus and his legal heirs have no
concern with the said land since the same has
been sold long back and there is no any
revenue record showing their name and,
therefore, their G.P.A. given to Shaikh
Ibrahim is of no consequence. The learned
A.P.P. submitted that as many as seven
offences are registered against the applicant
Abdul Sajed and three of them are of similar
nature as that of the offence alleged in the
present complaint. The A.P.P. further
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submitted that the applicants herein are
influential persons and if they are released
on bail, they may tamper with the prosecution
evidence and threaten the prosecution
witnesses. He invited my attention to the
arguments advanced before the Sessions Court
and submitted that the Sessions Court, after
appreciation of the material brought on
record, has recorded correct findings and
rejected the applications for anticipatory
bail. Therefore, he prayed that, applications
may be rejected.
20. The learned Counsel Mr. Rajendra Deshmukh,
for the applicant in Criminal Application No.
208 of 2011 further invited my attention to
the ground Nos.VII and XI in the application
and submitted that possibility of tampering so
called conversation cannot be ruled out. He
further submitted that Regular Appeal No.76 of
1996 has been decided by the Additional
District Judge, Aurangabad in respect of the
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said land.
21. Mr. Sapkal, learned Counsel for the
applicant in Criminal Application No.190 of
2011 invited my attention to the paragraph 42
of the compilation and submitted that on 12th
January, 2011, the Superintendent of Land
Records cancelled the earlier map dated 28th
April, 2010 and issued fresh map. In this
map, it is clearly mentioned that the land
which was shown to the extent of 2 Hector and
24 Aar (5 acres and 14 Gunthas) is cancelled.
This clearly shows that this was alluvial
land.
22. Mr. Dixit, learned Senior Counsel
appearing for the applicant in Criminal
Application No.194 of 2011 invited my
attention to para 23 of the application and
submitted that though the complainant
purchased 10 Gunthas of land, documents show
that the complainant wanted N.A. of the entire
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land, though he had no concern with the same.
23. I have given due consideration to the
rival submissions of the parties. I have also
perused the applications, annexures thereto,
the order passed by the Sessions Court and
also the investigation papers as were made
available for perusal.
24. It appears that initially, interim
protection was given to the applicants. The
Sessions Court heard the applications for
anticipatory bail finally and on appreciating
new material produced on record by the
parties, rejected the applications. It further
appears that the Sessions Court had seen
original sale deeds and also transcript which
was produced before it also the investigation
papers and refused to grant bail to the
applicants.
25. At this juncture, it would be appropriate
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to refer to the judgment of the Constitution
Bench of the Hon'ble Supreme Court in case of
Shri Gurbaksh Singh Sibbia and others vs.
State of Punjab, reported in (1980) 2 SCC 565,
wherein the Apex Court has laid down some
guiding principles / factors to be taken into
consideration while entertaining application
u/s 438
of Cr.P.C. for anticipatory bail,
which are as follows:
"31. In regard to anticipatory bail, if
the proposed accusation appears to stem
not from motives of furthering the ends of justice but from some ulterior motive, the object being to injure and
humiliate the applicant by having him arrested a direction for the release of the applicant on bail in the event of his arrest would generally, be made. On the
other hand, if it appears likely considering the antecedents of the applicant, that taking advantage of the order of anticipatory bail he will flee from justice, such an order would not be made. But the converse of these
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propositions is not necessarily true. That is to say it cannot be laid down
as an inexorable rule that anticipatory bail cannot be granted unless the proposed accusation appears to be
actuated by mala fides; and, equally, that anticipatory bail must be granted if there is no fear that the applicant
will abscond. There are several other
considerations, too numerous to enumerate the combined effect of which must
weigh with the court while granting or rejecting anticipatory bail. The nature and seriousness of the proposed charges,
the context of the events likely to lead to the making of the charges,
a reasonable possibility of the applicant's presence not being secured at the trial, a reasonable apprehension
that witnesses will be tampered with and "the larger interests of the public or the state" are some of the
considerations which the court has to keep in mind while deciding an application for anticipatory bail."
26. It is further held by the Apex Court, thus:
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"35. Section 438(1) of the Code lays down a condition which has to be satisfied
before anticipatory bail can be granted.
The applicant must show that he has "reason to believe" that he may be
arrested for a non-bailable offence. The use of the expression "reason to believe"
shows that the belief that the
applicant may be so arrested must be founded 'fear' ig on reasonable grounds.
is not 'belief', for which reason Mere
it is not enough for the applicant to show that he has some sort of a vague apprehension that some one is going to
make an accusation against him, in pursuance of which he may be arrested.
The grounds on which the belief of the applicant is based that he may be arrested for a non-bailable offence,
must be capable of being examined by the court objectively, because it is then alone that the court can determine
whether the applicant has reason to believe that he may be so arrested. Section 438(1), therefore, cannot be invoked on the basis of vague and general allegations, as if to arm oneself in perpetuity against a possible arrest. Otherwise, the number of applications for
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anticipatory bail will be as large as, at any rate, the adult populace.
Anticipatory bail is a device to secure the individual's liberty; it is neither a passport to the commission of crimes nor
a shield against any and all kinds of accusations, likely or unlikely."
27. The Hon'ble Supreme Court, in Siddharam
Satlingappa ig Mhetre's case (supra, observed
that following factors are required to be
taken into consideration while dealing with
anticipatory bail:
"122. The following factors and parameters can be taken into consideration while dealing with the anticipatory bail:
i. The nature and gravity of the accusation and the exact role of the
accused must be properly
comprehended before arrest is made;
ii. The antecedents of the applicant including the fact as to whether the accused has previously undergone imprisonment on conviction by a Court
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in respect of any cognizable offence;
iii. The possibility of the applicant to flee from justice;
iv. The possibility of the accused's likelihood to repeat similar or the other offences.
v. Where the accusations have been made only with the object of injuring or
humiliating the applicant by arresting him or her.
vi. Impact of grant of anticipatory bail particularly in cases of large
magnitude affecting a very large number of people.
vii. The courts must evaluate the entire available material against the accused very carefully. The court must
also clearly comprehend the exact role of the accused in the case. The cases in which accused is implicated with the help of sections 34 and 149 of the Indian Penal Code, the court should consider with even greater care and caution because over implication in the cases is a matter of
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common knowledge and concern;
viii. While considering the prayer for grant of anticipatory bail, a balance has to be struck between two factors namely,
no prejudice should be caused to the free, fair and full investigation and there should be prevention of harassment,
humiliation and unjustified detention of
the accused;
ix. The court to consider reasonable apprehension of tampering of the witness or apprehension of threat to the
complainant;
x. Frivolity in prosecution should always be considered and it is only the element of genuineness that shall have to
be considered in the matter of grant of bail and in the event of there being some doubt as to the genuineness of the
prosecution, in the normal course of events, the accused is entitled to an order of bail.
123. The arrest should be the last option and it should be restricted to those
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exceptional cases where arresting the accused is imperative in the facts and
circumstances of that case.
124. The court must carefully examine the entire available record and particularly the allegations which have been directly
attributed to the accused and these
allegations are corroborated material and circumstances on record.
by other
125. These are some of the factors which should be taken into consideration while
deciding the anticipatory bail applications."
28. The Sessions Court has elaborately
considered the arguments of the Counsel
appearing for the respective parties in three
bail petitions. It further appears on perusal
of the judgment and order of the Sessions
Court that the Court has gone through
voluminous documents in the compilation filed
by the applicant Abdul Sajed and others and
also the investigation papers, the documents
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produced by the complainant as well as
original sale deeds and also the transcripts.
In paragraph 25 to 27 of the judgment, the
Sessions Court has referred the judgments of
the Hon'ble Supreme Court as well as this
Court. In para 30, the Court has noted that
the accused Abdul Sajed and Khalil khan are
corporators of Municipal Corporation,
Aurangabad. Besides the same, it seems that
Abdul Sajed is a builder by profession and
Khalil Khan is running a business i.e. agency
to execute sale deeds. The trial Court has
perused the original sale deeds and found that
in those original sale deeds, the said bogus
N.A. Order is not there, which has been placed
in the copies of the sale deeds. The Court
has considered the arguments of the parties
about the preparation of forged N.A. order and
insertion of the same in the copies of the
sale deeds in paragraph 31 and 32. In para
35, the Court has recorded that the N.A. order
of the disputed property, which finds place in
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the copies of the sale deeds produced in the
compilation, is apparently forged and bogus
document. Because, original N.A. order is in
the name of Abdul Gani, which bears the
signature of the Collector, while bogus N.A.
order does not bear signature of Collector and
it only speaks that as per the order of
Collector, it was issued. In para 36, the
Court observed, thus:
"But in this regard the original sale
deeds produced by the complainant for
verification of this Court, show that, in those sale deeds no such N.A. order is there at all. Unless and until said bogus
N.A. order was in original sale deed, in the copies of sale deed, it could not have found place. But it is there in the copies of sale deeds obtained by Abdul
Sajed and it is specific allegation of complainant that, accused Abdul Sajed got it prepared from Sk. Ibrahim and inserted it in the copies of sale deed through accused Khalil Khan through whom complainant got those sale deeds
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registered. The original sale deeds produced by the complainant show that,
complainant got those sale deeds registered through the agency of accused Khalil Khan. Therefore, looking to these
facts, there is every possibility that, Khalil Khan was having knowledge about said transaction of complainant and his
brother with Sandu Dupe and in order to extract ig money from complainant, facie the possibility cannot be ruled out prima
that, Khalil Khan with the help of some employees of Sub Registrar's office, might have got inserted said bogus N.A. order in
the copies of sale deeds in favour of complainant and his brother. It appears
that when complainant noticed this fact from accused Abdul Sajed who had called the complainant at his house to demand
ransom, complainant had immediately filed complaint about the filing of bogus N.A. order in the copies of sale deeds to
Collector on 26.11.2010."
29. Therefore, in para 37 the Court has
reached to the conclusion that in the copies
of sale deeds, N.A. order was inserted by
somebody and needle of suspicion points
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towards accused Abdul Sajed, Khalil Khan and
Sk. Ibrahim. The trial Court, in paragraph
38, has considered the demand of Rs.10 lakhs
by Abdul Sajed and version of the complainant
about what transpired between Abdul Sajed and
himself. In para 39, the Court has reached to
the conclusion that possibility of attaching
bogus N.A. order in the copies of sale deeds
in favour of the complainant and his brother
by Khalil Khan, on the say of Abdul Sajed
cannot be ruled out. In para 40, the Court
has recorded, thus:
"40. Therefore, if the said contents of
complaint are considered with the above
facts, then certainly, prima facie it can
be concluded that, in order to extract
money from complainant, said bogus N.A.
order might have been inserted in the
copies of sale deeds by accused Abdul
Sajed through Khalil Khan. That is why
said bogus N.A. order nowhere finds place
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in original sale deeds."
30. In paragraphs 41 to 44, there is
discussion about the contents of the complaint
filed by the complainant. In para 45, the
trial Court, on the basis of the contents of
the complaint, has referred to the
conversation between the complainant and co-
accused and recorded conclusion that in the
light of said contents of complaint and
recording of conversation by the complainant,
the transcription of conversation prepared by
the police under panchanama needs to be
considered. In para 46, the Court has referred
to the panchanama of conversation prepared by
police after running the C.D., which shows
prima facie that, it is the conversation of
the meetings with Anwar Khan dated 9.12.2010,
meeting dated 10.12.2010, 11.12.2010,
13.12.2010 and 14.12.2010. Similarly, it also
speaks about recording of 29 telephonic calls
between complainant and Anwarkhan on 9.12.2010
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to 14.12.2010. It also speaks about the
conversation of the meeting dated 12.12.2010
between complainant, Abdul Sajed, Ibrahim
Patel, Khalil Khan, Anwar Khan and Sk. Rais.
Said conversation was for near about two hours
thirty eight minutes and thirty five seconds.
It further appears that the trial Court has
perused the said transcription of conversation
between complainant and Abdul Sajed minutely
and in para 47, the Court has reached to the
conclusion that prima facie it can be
concluded that there was meeting between Abdul
Sajed and the complainant and it was in
respect of land purchased by the complainant
and his brother. The Court has recorded that
it appears from the transcription that the
complainant told accused Abdul Sajed that, the
amount is very huge and he requested Abdul
Sajed to minimize that amount. It further
shows that Abdul Sajed told the complainant
that earlier, when complainant left his house,
Sk. Ibrahim and accused Khalil Khan had come
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to him and Khalilkhan told that he wants to
purchase 2 Acre 30 Guntha land. It further
speaks that 2 Acre 30 Guntha land is not owned
by Sandu Dhondiba and it further speaks that,
how Sandu Dhondiba sold the land without its
title. It also speaks about meeting of Abdul
Sajed with Balaji Kshirsagar about said 2 Acre
30 Guntha land. It also speaks that, police
informed him about the ransom demanded by him
and on that, he told police to register crime
against him and further told that, within
two/three days he will be released on bail.
31. In para 38, the Court has recorded that
the said transcription of conversation and
recorded that the said transcription speaks
further that accused Sajed asked the
complainant to settle the issue immediately
since he is also a Muslim person. On that,
complainant told that, it would not be better
to fight with each other and the amount
demanded by the accused is big amount.
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32. In para 50 of the judgment, the Court
observed, thus:
"50. .... Therefore, if said transcription is considered, then
certainly, prima facie it can be concluded that, the stand taken by Abdul Sajed that,
in order to protect and safeguard the property of Municipal Corporation, he
filed those complaints and raised the issue in Standing Committee meeting, cannot be said to be bonafide. But, on
the contrary, prima facie from
transcription of conversation it can be concluded that, filing of complaints to various Government Authorities, was well
planned action taken by Abdul Sajed to extract money from complainant. It also appears prima facie that, in the sale deeds in favour of complainant and his
brother, it has been clearly mentioned that, the land purchased by them is in green belt. Therefore, in the original sale deeds, no question arose at all to attach the N.A. order and hence, that bogus N.A. order nowhere finds place in
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the original sale deeds. It apparently finds place in the copies of sale deeds
and as per the transcription of conversation, it appears that, it was inserted by accused Khalil Khan in those
copies and it was done so as to extract money from complainant by threatening him that Police will take action against him
if complaint is filed at Police Station.
It cannot be ignored that, purchase of land in green belt is not an offence and
only its use for N.A. without order of Collector is an offence. It prima facie appears from the documents on record as
well as said transcription of conversation that, exactly accused Abdul Sajed and
others tried to take benefit of this fact by inserting bogus N.A. order in the copies of sale deeds."
33. The Court has also considered the
statement of accused Anwarkhan, who was
arrested in connection of this crime and
observed in para 51 that his statement also
categorically shows the involvement of the
present three accused persons in the alleged
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crime and therefore, in para 54 the Court has
opined that, prima facie, there appears to be
involvement of all the three accused in the
crime and they are involved in serious offence
of demanding ransom, which is serious in
nature and ultimately, rejected the bail
applications.
34. It appears that initially interim bail was
granted to the applicants / accused. However,
on finding subsequently sufficient material
brought on record by the prosecution, prima
facie, indicating involvement of the
applicants, the trial Court observed that
offences alleged against the applicants -
accused are serious in nature and right of
investigation should be properly allowed to be
exercised by the police and in the facts and
circumstances of the case, custodial
interrogation is necessary.
35. In the case of Gurbaksh Singh Sibbia
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(supra), the Hon'ble Supreme Court held,
"Superior courts will, undoubtedly, exercise
their discretion properly, and not make any
observations in the order granting
anticipatory bail which will have a tendency
to prejudice the fair trial of the
accused." (Emphasis supplied).
36. Therefore, keeping in mind the
observations of the Hon'ble Supreme Court, I
think it appropriate not to comment upon the
minute details of the evidence / material
collected by the prosecution agency. The trial
Court has elaborately dealt with the documents
brought on record and also other material by
the parties and has recorded elaborate
findings and conclusions.
37. I have independently scrutinized / scanned
the material brought on record by the
applicants, complainant and the investigation
papers made available to me by the prosecution
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agency. On careful perusal of the entire
material, I am of the opinion that the
conclusions reached at by the trial Court are
in consonance with the material brought on
record. I do not think that the observations
of the Sessions Court are contrary to the
material brought on record. Since any further
observations on the said documents or material
brought on record may prejudice the case /
trial of the accused, I refrain to comment
upon the same.
38. In the case of Gurbaksh Singh Sibbia
(supra), the Hon'ble Supreme Court considered
the necessity for granting anticipatory bail
mainly because some times, influential persons
try to implicate their rivals in getting them
detained in jail for some days. In recent
times, with the accentuation of political
rivalry, this tendency is showing signs of
steady increase.
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39. In the instant case, out of three
applicants, the applicants namely Abdul Sajed
and Khalil Khan are corporators. They have
stated in their application about their
political status. From perusal of the
available record, it does not appear that the
complainant is occupying any political post or
he is
actively involved in politics. It
appears that he is involved in construction
business. As stated earlier, the trial Court
has observed that though Abdul Sajed and
Khalil Khan are corporators, besides the same,
Abdul Sajed is a builder by profession and
Khalil Khan is running business i.e. agency to
execute sale deeds. Therefore, it prima facie
appears that registration of complaint is not
out of any political rivalry or to malign
image of the applicants. In the
aforementioned judgments, the Apex Court has
given some guiding principles / factors to be
considered while entertaining the application
for anticipatory bail. One of the factors
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required to be considered is interest of the
society or public interest. In the present
case, the offences alleged against the
applicants are serious in nature, in the sense
that there is allegation of extortion and
actual payment of Rs.10 lakhs to Abdul Sajed.
The public at large is bound to have interest
in such matters to see that the investigation
is properly carried out and conducted by the
concerned Investigating Officer and for that,
the concerned Police Officer should be given
full right of investigation. The cases of
extortion, ransom, theft, robbery etc. create
panic in the society. Society has interest
and further stakes to see that such offences
are seriously investigated, the offenders are
properly booked and appropriate action should
be taken against them as permissible in law,
to avoid such commission of offences in
future. One of the factors which is required
to be considered as per the judgment of the
Apex Court in case of Siddharam Satlingappa
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again indulge in such offence in future. It
has been argued by the Public Prosecutor
before this Court that there are seven
offences registered against Abdul Sajed and
three out of them are registered under
Sections 420, 468, 471 r.w. 34 of I.P.C. and
one crime is registered under the Prevention
of Corruption Act under Section 13(1)(5) r/w
13(2) of the said Act and u/s 109 of I.P.C.
(Emphasis supplied). Therefore, this important
argument cannot be brushed aside and
antecedent of applicants / accused needs to be
taken into consideration as per judgment of
the Constitution Bench in Gurbaksh Singh
Sibbia (supra).
40. The another factor required to be
considered is whether the accused will
influence the prosecution witnesses, if bail
is granted. In the instant case, as stated
earlier, certainly out of three accused
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persons two are corporators and their release
would certainly have effect of tampering with
prosecution evidence / witnesses.
41. Therefore, in the present case, the public
at large would like to see that investigation
is properly carried out, if necessary by
custodial ig interrogation, as permissible in
law. Undoubtedly, the offences are serious in
nature and the society has stake and interest
to see that the accused are properly dealt
with, in accordance with law.
42. It has come on record that Shaikh Ibrahim
has become G.P.A. holder on 9th December, 2010
and prima facie, it appears that he cannot
have any interest earlier to that in the
subject property. However, Abdul Sajed in his
application has stated that one G.P.A. holder
of Sayyadbin Salem has filed complaint on 30th
September, 2010 to the Commissioner of
Municipal Corporation and it was mentioned in
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the complaint that by using forged N.A. order,
property in green belt possessed by Sayyadbin
Salem is sold. Copy of the said communication
was marked to the present applicant for
raising point in corporation. Therefore, he
stepped in, is not the correct position. In
fact, G.P.A. is given in favour of the
applicant Shaikh Ibrahim by the legal heirs of
Sayyadbin Salem Chaus on 9.12.2010, who was
original owner of the property. Prior to that,
Shaikh Ibrahim had no concern with the said
property. It is also argued by the Counsel
for the complainant that the said Sayyadbin
Salem Chaus had sold his entire property in
1994 itself and from 1994 till the G.P.A. is
given, there are no revenue entries in the
name of legal heirs of said Sayyadbin Salem
Chaus. It has been stated by the legal heirs
in the document of G.P.A. given in favour of
Shaikh Ibrahim in para no.2, that there is no
entry in their name in revenue record.
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43. It has come on record that the police have
investigated into the matter, one of the co-
accused Mr. Anwar Khan was arrested and he has
also stated about the involvement of the
present applicants in the alleged crime.
Therefore, the concerned Investigating Officer
will have to investigate the matter further
and find out definite role played by each of
the accused. There are five accused persons.
However, one of them is absconding and is not
available for investigation. Therefore, it is
also matter of concern and it may happen in
case of other co-accused also. As already
stated, from the view point of society and
public at large, the offences alleged in the
complaint are serious in nature and the
concerned Investigating Officer is required to
be given right to thoroughly investigate in
the matter. At the cost of repetition, it has
to be stated that the trial Court has
cancelled the interim bail only after careful
scrutiny of the material brought on record
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including the original sale deeds, transcript
and also the statement of Anwar Khan. The
said course is permissible as per the judgment
of the Hon'ble Supreme Court in case of
Siddharam Satlingappa Mhetre (supra). The
Supreme Court observed, thus:
"117.
ig The view expressed by this Court in all the above referred judgments have
to be reviewed and once the anticipatory bail is granted then the protection should ordinarily be available till the end of
the trial unless the interim protection by
way of the grant of anticipatory bail is curtailed when the anticipatory bail granted by the court is cancelled by the
court on finding fresh material or circumstances or on the ground of abuse of the indulgence by the accused. "
44. Therefore, in the light of above
observations, and in view of the fact that
the prosecution and the complainant have
brought on record sufficient fresh material in
the nature of original sale deeds,
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transcription of conversation, statement of
co-accused Anwar Khan and other material and,
therefore, the trial Court, after examining
the said material meticulously, cancelled the
interim bail.
45. In the case of Gurbaksh Singh Sibbia
(supra), the Supreme Court has observed that
while considering the application for
anticipatory bail, individual right and right
of police to investigate into the matter is
required to be balanced. Therefore, in the
present case, it is necessary to see that the
police also gets right to investigate the
matter and it has to be balanced with the
individual right. It has also been argued by
the Counsel for the complainant that for the
purpose of execution of the sale deed, the
stamp which was purchased finds the name of
brother of Khalil Khan on front page as stamp
vendor. This fact is not denied by Khalil
Khan. It has also been argued that said
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Khalil Khan is involved in the process of
execution of sale deeds and further for
scanning documents as he is given the work by
the Government on contract.
46. The applicant Abdul Sajed has admitted
that the complainant did come to his house.
In para 45 of his application, it is stated
that the complainant personally contacted him
and he came to his house only with a view to
cheat the applicant. Therefore, the fact that
complainant came to the house of the applicant
Abdul Sajed has been admitted by him. It is
also relevant to note that the application for
anticipatory bail has been filed on 14th
January, 2011. However, Ground No.XVI is
taken in the said application stating therein
that the accused Ibrahim Patel filed complaint
u/s 156(3) of Cr.P.C. before the J.M.F.C.
seeking directions against the Police Station
to register crime against the complainant for
not only preparing bogus N.A. order but using
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it and giving false information to the police
station on which F.I.R. is registered against
the applicant. In fact, the said offence is
registered on January 24, 2011 as orally
stated by the Counsel appearing for the
parties. As stated earlier, the application
for anticipatory bail has been filed on 14th
January, ig2011 and the aforesaid ground has
been taken in the said application in respect
of offence which is registered after filing
the application on 24.1.2011. Reasonable
inference can be drawn about the influence of
the applicant Abdul Sajed.
47. It has come on record in the application
of Abdul Sajed that he has no concern with the
said land. Though the Counsel appearing for
the applicant Abdul Sajed vehemently argued
that the applicant was consistently pursuing
the Government authorities to protect the
government land, at this juncture, it is
necessary to mention that there are number of
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government / corporation lands which are under
encroachment and there is able and efficient
government / corporation machinery provided
under the relevant law / Rules to remove such
encroachments, in accordance with law. The
interest of the applicant Abdul Sajed in this
particular land does not seem to be bonafide
as observed by the Sessions Court. Though,
the Counsel for the applicant Abdul Sajed has
argued that the said applicant has raised
voice about the corruption of Anwar Khan
during discussion about the said land in the
Standing Committee meeting, upon perusal of
the said discussion, it appears that the word
used by Abdul Sajed was "Khan" and not
"Anwarkhan". Therefore, merely because he has
stated something during the discussion before
the Sabhapati in the said meeting that would
not lead to the conclusion that he has no
relation with the co-accused Anwar Khan. In
fact, Anwar Khan is working as an employee of
the Corporation and in his statement, he has
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specifically named all the three applicants
and also their overtacts. Therefore, there is
statement of Anwar Khan implicating these
accused in the alleged crime. It has come on
record that Abdul Sajed has started raising
voice only from the month of September, 2010
when the another applicant Shaikh Ibrahim had
given him copy of the letter, which he had
addressed to the Commissioner, Municipal
Corporation, Aurangabad raising objection
stating therein that Survey No.19/1 situated
at Himayatnagar (Himayat Bag) is owned by them
and Sandu Dhondiba Dube and others are
unauthorizedly selling said plots and,
therefore, immediate action may be taken
against them. Said land belongs to
Corporation and Kham river is flowing through
the said land and their land is in green belt,
which cannot be developed. This admission of
Abdul Sajed, prima facie, strengthens the case
of the prosecution that Abdul Sajed and other
co-accused namely Shaikh Ibrahim and Khalil
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Khan have systematically planned the things in
order to extract money from the complainant.
48. The learned Counsel for the applicants
have argued that even offence has been
registered against the complainant for
creating forged N.A. order in respect of said
property on 24th January, 2011 and, therefore,
now it is clear that the complainant was
instrumental in preparing bogus N.A. order.
In this regard, law will take its own course
and this Court need not go into that aspect
since those are the events subsequent to
filing of bail applications. If the
complainant or any other person is responsible
for any offence, the prosecution machinery
will deal with it as per law. Whether the
said land belongs to Government or private
person is different matter and if somebody has
encroached the said land, the Government
machinery will take care of it. This court has
not expressing any opinion about the ownership
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of the said land.
49. In the present case, on assessing the
entire material on record, prima facie, it
does appear that the applicants have taken
keen interest and systematically planned the
events so as to reach their goal.
In case of State Rep. by the C.B.I. vs.
Anil Sharma, reported in (1997) 7 SCC 187, the
Apex Court held, thus:
"6. ..... Custodial interrogation is qualitatively more elicitation oriented than questioning a suspect who is well
ensconced with a favorable order under Section 438 if the code. In a case like this effective interrogation of suspected
person is of tremendous advantage in disinterring many useful informations and also materials which would have been concealed. Succession such interrogation would elude if the suspected person knows that he is well protected and insulted by a pre-arrest bail
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during the time he interrogated. Very often interrogation in such a condition
would reduce to a mere ritual. The argument that the custodial interrogation is fraught with the danger of the person
being subjected to third degree methods need not be countenanced, for, such an argument can be advanced by all accused in
all criminal cases. The court has to
would
presume that responsible Police Officers conduct themselves in task of
disinterring offences would not conduct themselves as offenders."
50. Therefore, in the light of above, in my
opinion, the applicants do not deserve to be
released on anticipatory bail. Hence, all the
three applications seeking anticipatory bail
are rejected.
At this stage the learned Counsel for the
applicants prayed for extension of interim
protection by further three weeks. However,
interim protection is extended till 8th
February, 2011. It is made clear that no
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further extension will be granted.
Needless to mention that, the observations
made herein before, are only for the purpose
of deciding the present applications seeking
anticipatory bail.
ig [ S.S. SHINDE ] JUDGE. ...
kadam/*
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