Bombay High Court
RIZWAN JAWEED HUSAIN BELIFversusTHE STATE OF MAHARASHTRA
- Disposal
- Allowed
Holding
The court confirmed the anticipatory bail order dated 30 October 2023, allowing the applicant to remain on bail.
Summary
The applicant, an RTO agent, was implicated in alleged forgery of signatures on Form 26 for vehicle lien removal and issuance of duplicate registration certificates, leading to an FIR under IPC sections 420, 465, 467, 468 and 471. He sought anticipatory bail, which the trial court granted on 30 October 2023 subject to conditions including a bond and cooperation with the investigation. The applicant complied with the conditions, appeared before the investigating officer, and the investigation culminated in a charge‑sheet (RCC No.644 of 2024) now before the JMFC, Solapur, at the charge‑framing stage. The State did not dispute the applicant’s compliance. The High Court, after hearing counsel, confirmed the earlier anticipatory bail order, allowing the applicant to remain on bail, and disposed of the anticipatory bail application.
Issues considered
- Whether the anticipatory bail granted on 30 October 2023 should be confirmed in view of the applicant's compliance with the conditions and the pending charge‑framing stage of the case.
Legislation cited
- Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 — s. 438
- Indian Penal Code, 1860 — s. 420, 465, 467, 468, 471
Subjects
- anticipatory bail
- forgery
- IPC sections 420, 465, 467, 468, 471
- CrPC Section 438
- RTO agent
- vehicle registration
- bail conditions
Judgment
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IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY
CIRCUIT BENCH AT KOLHAPUR
CRIMINAL APPELLATE JURISDICTION
CR. ANTICIPATORY BAIL APPLN. NO. 3025 OF 2023
Rizwan Jaweed Husain Belif …...Applicant
VERSUS
The State Of Maharashtra …...Respondent
_________________________________________________________________
Mr. Viresh Purwant a/w Mr. Ashutosh Purwant, for Applicant.
Mr. Nitin B. Patil, A.P.P., for the Respondent - State.
_________________________________________________________________
Digitally
signed by
SHANTANU
SHANTANU SHANKARSA
SHANKARSA DHUDUM
DHUDUM Date:
2026.09.28
21:04:37
+0530
CORAM : ASHWIN D. BHOBE, J.
DATE : 28th SEPTEMBER, 2026.
P.C.
1. Heard Mr. Viresh Purwant, learned Advocate for the Applicant
and Mr. Nitin B. Patil, learned A.P.P., for the Respondent - State.
2. On 30th October 2023, the following order was passed:
“1. Heard the learned counsel for the applicant and the learned
APP for the State.
2. This application is preferred seeking pre-arrest bail in
connection with C.R. No. 390 of 2023 registered at Vijapur
Naka police station for the offences punishable under
sections 420, 465, 467, 468 and 471 of Indian penal Code,
1860.
3. The applicant is an RTO agent. The first informant is posted
as Assistant RTO, Solapur. The first informant lodged report
Shantanu S. Dhudum
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with the allegations that owners of the vehicles and their
authorized representative had submitted applications for
removal of lien and issue of a duplicate registration
certificate in respect of vehicles. It transpired that the
signatures of the RTO officers on Form 26 required to be
submitted to get the lien removed and duplicate
registration certificate issued were forged.
4. The first informant alleged that the standard practice
followed by the RTO is to make the registered owner or his
representative put signature on the Form in the presence of
the RTO officer.
5. The learned counsel for the applicant submitted that it is not
the allegations of the first informant that any of the
documents submitted by the applicant and the other co-
accused to get the lien removed and duplicate registration
certificate issued, were forged.
6. The learned APP submitted that the investigation is
underway to ascertain whether the dues of the banks and
financial institutions were cleared before making the
application.
7. In view of the aforesaid submission, it may be expedient to
protect the liberty of the applicant while directing him to
join in the investigation.
8. In the event of arrest in C.R. No. 390 of 2023 registered
with Vijapur Naka police station, the applicant be released
on bail on furnishing a P.R. bond in the sum of Rs.30,000/-
with one or two sureties in the like amount.
9. The applicant shall cooperate with the investigation and
attend Vijapur Naka police station, on 6th, 7th and 8th
2023 in between 10 am to 1 pm and, thereafter, as and
when directed.
10. The applicant shall submit his specimen handwriting and
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signature before the investigating officer.
11. The applicant shall not tamper with the prosecution
evidence and give threat or inducement to first informant,
any of the prosecution witnesses or any person acquainted
with the facts of the case.
Stand over to 18th December, 2023.”
3. Mr. Viresh Purwant, learned Advocate for the Applicant, states
that the Applicant has appeared before the Investigating Officer as and
when required by the Investigating Officer and the Applicant has co-
operated with the investigation in Crime No.390 of 2023. He submits that
upon conclusion of the investigation, the Respondent has filed a charge-
sheet, which is now registered as R.C.C. No.644 of 2024 and is pending
before the learned J.M.F.C., Solapur. He submits that the Applicant is
regularly appearing in R.C.C. No.644 of 2024. He submits that the present
stage of the said criminal proceedings (R.C.C. No.644 of 2024) is for
framing of charge, wherein the Applicant has filed an Application seeking
discharge.
4. Today, Mr. Nitin B. Patil, learned A.P.P. for the Respondent –
State, does not dispute the statements made by Mr. Viresh Purwant,
learned Advocate for the Applicant.
5. In view of the above, statements made by Mr. Viresh Purwant,
learned Advocate for the Applicant, further the Applicant being on interim
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bail since 30/10/2023, this Application is allowed by confirming the order
dated 30th October 2026.
6. Anticipatory Bail Application No.3025 of 2023 is disposed of.
( ASHWIN D. BHOBE, J.)
Shantanu S. Dhudum
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