A sessions court in Pune has firmly rejected the bail plea of a man from Bangladesh, who stands accused of entering India illegally and living in the Chinchwad area using counterfeit identification documents, including a forged Permanent Account Number (PAN) card.
Court Cites Concrete Evidence of Nationality and Fraud
In his order dated January 2, Additional Sessions Judge P R Chaudhary highlighted the compelling evidence against the accused. The judge noted that while the applicant submitted documents claiming residency in West Bengal, the investigation conclusively proved otherwise. His birth certificate and other materials confirmed he is a permanent resident of Bangladesh. The court explicitly stated, "He entered India without a passport," and declared his PAN card to be forged.
Arrest and Investigation Details
The case unfolded when the Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) of Pune, in a coordinated operation with Chinchwad police, apprehended the accused along with another suspect during a verification drive. At the time of his arrest, he was employed with a private limited company. During questioning, the prosecution claimed, the individual failed to provide a verifiable local address and eventually admitted to being a Bangladeshi national.
The accused, in his bail application, argued that he had been living in India for several years. He also referenced multiple Bombay High Court orders where bail was granted in similar cases. However, Judge Chaudhary found these precedents inapplicable. The court distinguished them on a crucial fact: in those cases, there was no documentary proof of Bangladeshi nationality, whereas in the present matter, the prosecution had produced clear evidence establishing the accused's nationality and illegal entry.
Chargesheet Filed and Legal Process Underway
The court also took into account that the chargesheet in the case has already been filed, indicating significant progress in the investigation. Furthermore, authorities have initiated steps for the cancellation of the fraudulent PAN card submitted by the accused. Weighing the material evidence presented by the prosecution and the relevant statutory provisions, the court found no grounds for granting bail and dismissed the application.
This ruling underscores the judiciary's strict stance on cases involving illegal immigration and the use of forged official documents to establish residency and gain employment within the country.
