A Ponda court has granted anticipatory bail to Manguirish Verenkar, 59, the deputy town planner of Tiswadi from the Town and Country Planning (TCP) department, in connection with a cheating and forgery case dating back to 2023. Verenkar is accused of issuing No Objection Certificates (NOCs) related to the execution of sale deeds by private parties before the sub-registrar, which were not reflected in the office records during his tenure as deputy town planner in Ponda.
Defense Arguments
While seeking anticipatory bail, Verenkar submitted that the maintenance of inward and outward registers and record entries is carried out by clerical staff, and he is not the dealing hand responsible for such entries. He argued that he should not be held liable for discrepancies caused by subordinate staff.
Prosecution's Opposition
The investigating officer opposed the grant of bail, stating that the issuance of NOCs is a statutory function that requires the approval and authority of the deputy town planner. Therefore, Verenkar cannot evade responsibility by attributing discrepancies to subordinate staff.
Court's Observations
The court noted a discrepancy in the records of the deputy town planner's office in Ponda regarding the number of NOCs issued by the TCP department and those produced before the sub-registrar's office at the time of registration of sale deeds for property bearing survey number 215/0 in Bethora.
Additional Sessions Judge Bosco Roberts stated, "The case diary also indicates that there are suspicious transactions in the bank account of the accused, Ferdin Shaikh, and some phone calls between him and the applicant." The judge further added, "The statement of the incumbent deputy town planner, Ponda, is also relevant to suggest the involvement of the applicant in the crime. What were the nature of the phone calls, why were there money transactions between Ferdin and the applicant, how were more NOCs used than were issued by the TCP dept while executing sale deeds, and why did the applicant visit the office of the deputy town planner, Ponda, even after his transfer, are all a matter of investigation, for which the applicant has already shown willingness to remain present before the IO for interrogation."
Bail Conditions
The court observed that Verenkar is no longer in service at the TCP department in Ponda and may not be in a position to influence witnesses or tamper with evidence there. Consequently, anticipatory bail was granted, subject to conditions deemed appropriate by the court.
