Mumbai, Maharashtra – May 18, 2022 – Anil Bhikanrao Sonawane, an Assistant Police Inspector, has been granted bail by the Sessions Court for Greater Mumbai in connection with a fake currency scam case. Additional Sessions Judge R.M. Sadrani (C.R. No. 37) granted the bail in Bail Application No. 985 of 2022, related to DCB CID C.R. No. 100 of 2021 (Malwani Police Station C.R. No. 1287 of 2020).

Sonawane was arrested and charged under Sections 395 (dacoity), 392 (robbery), 420 (cheating), 120(B) (criminal conspiracy), 504 (intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of the peace), 506 (criminal intimidation), read with Section 34 (acts done by several persons in furtherance of common intention) of the Indian Penal Code.

Case Background:

The case originated from a complaint filed by Yagnesh Krushnkumar Pandiya, who alleged that he was lured into purchasing fake currency worth ₹1 Crore for ₹15 Lakhs due to financial difficulties. He claimed that co-accused Jaysingh Rathod and Rajan Dave induced him into the deal. Pandiya handed over ₹13 Lakhs near Infinity Mall, Malad (W). During the exchange, while Pandiya was shown a bag containing the fake currency, two individuals posing as police officers intervened, and some of the accused fled with the ₹13 Lakhs. Pandiya alleged that the “police officers” were part of the scam.

Arguments and Court’s Reasoning:

Sonawane’s counsel, Adv. Ajay Dubey, argued that co-accused Shahbaj, Abid, and Akram had already been granted bail by the Magistrate. He stated that the allegation against Sonawane was limited to receiving ₹20,000 as commission, as mentioned in the memorandum panchanama. However, no recovery of this amount was made. He also pointed out the vague allegations against a “police person” in the FIR and the lack of a test identification parade. Sonawane was arrested on April 21, 2022, despite the FIR being lodged on February 26, 2020.

The prosecution, represented by APP Abhijeet Gondwal, opposed the bail, stating that the investigation was ongoing, and ₹2 Lakhs out of the ₹13 Lakhs were yet to be recovered.

The court, after reviewing the case records, noted that Sonawane’s role was limited to allegedly receiving a ₹20,000 commission, as per co-accused Abid Shah’s memorandum statement. The court also highlighted the absence of a test identification parade.

“Role assigned to the applicant is that he has received commission of Rs.20,000/-. This fact is stated by the co-accused Abid Shah in his memorandum statement. No test identification parade is conducted. Considering the role assigned to the applicant and this is an application for grant of regular bail, I am inclined to allow the application,” Judge Sadrani stated.

Bail Conditions:

Judge Sadrani granted bail to Anil Bhikanrao Sonawane on the following conditions:

• Execution of a personal bond of ₹30,000 with one or more sureties of the same amount.
• Submission of detailed address and phone number at the time of furnishing bail.
• Bail to be processed before the Court attending remand.
• Attendance at DCB, CID, Mumbai, as and when called by the investigating officer.
• An undertaking not to directly or indirectly induce, threaten, or promise any person acquainted with the case.
• A restriction on leaving India without prior court permission.

The certified copy of the judgment was issued on May 18, 2022. This decision highlights the court’s consideration of the limited role attributed to the accused, the lack of a test identification parade, and the prior grant of bail to co-accused in the same case.