IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM PRESENT : THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE R.BASANT THURSDAY, THE 21ST FEBRUARY 2008 / 2ND PHALGUNA 1929 Bail Appl..No. 888 of 2008() ---------------------------- CRIME NO. 322/07 OF NORTH PARAVOOR POLICE STATION AND CBCID CRIME 120/CR/SII/07 OF CBCID SIG II ERNAKULAM MP.684/2008 of J.M.F.C.,PARAVUR .................... PETITIONER/9TH ACCUSED --------------------------------------- JEAM KHAN, AGED 39, S/O.ABDUL LATHEEFKHAN, "GREEN VILLA", MANANAKKU, MANAMBOR VILLAGE, NOW RESIDING AT SHEREENA MANZIL, MANANAKKU, CHIRAYINKIZHU TALUK, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM. BY ADV. SRI.THIRUMALA P.K.MANI RESPONDENTS: COMPLAINANT ------------------------ 1. S.I. OF POLICE, NORTH PARAVOOR POLICE STATION. 2. DEPUTY SUPERINTENDENT OF POLICE, IV, CBCID SIG II, ERNAKULAM. 3. STATE OF KERALA, REPRESENTED BY THE PUBLIC PROSECUTOR, HIGH COURT OF KERALA, ERNAKULAM. BY PUBLIC PROSECUTOR SRI. S.U. NAZAR THIS BAIL APPLICATION HAVING COME UP FOR ADMISSION ON 21/02/2008, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY PASSED THE FOLLOWING: R. BASANT, J. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - B.A.No. 888 of 2008 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Dated this the 21st day of February, 2008 O R D E R Application for regular bail. The petitioner is the 9th accused. He faces allegations in a crime registered under Section 489 B & C I.P.C. Counterfeit currency notes of the value of Rs.1,45,500/- were seized from the possession of accused 1 to 5 on 16.4.2007. They were arrested. It was revealed that they were supplied counterfeit currency notes by the 6th accused. He was found to keep in his possession 75 counterfeit currency notes of Rs.500 denomination. The police, in the course of investigation, gathered information that the 6th accused had received the counterfeit currency notes through the petitioner from one Sasi, who is the kingpin running the racket. Sasi was not arrested yet. The petitioner continues in custody from 28.1.2008. Investigation is in progress. 2. The learned counsel for the petitioner submits that the petitioner is absolutely innocent. No counterfeit currency note B.A.No. 888 of 2008 2 was recovered from the possession of the petitioner in this case. Merely on the basis of suspicion and merely because other false cases have also been initiated against the petitioner, the present allegations in this crime have been raised. He may now be enlarged on bail, prays the learned counsel. 3. The learned Prosecutor opposes the application. He submits that the investigation is not complete. After the arrest of the petitioner efforts are afoot to arrest Sasi. Release of the petitioner at this stage would hamper the progress of investigation in this case. The petitioner is involved in seven other identical crimes. He may not be enlarged on bail now, prays the learned Prosecutor. 4. Having considered all the relevant inputs, I find merit in the opposition by the learned Prosecutor. I am satisfied that at this early stage of investigation, the petitioner is not entitled to be released on bail. The Investigators, in a serious crime like this, must be given sufficient time to complete the investigation, I am satisfied. 5. This application is, in these circumstance, dismissed. But I may hasten to observe that the petitioner shall be at liberty to move this B.A.No. 888 of 2008 3 court or the courts below for bail again at a later stage of the investigation, not at any rate, prior to 6.3.2008. The Investigators shall, in the meantime, make every endeavour to arrest the co-accused and complete the investigation. (R. BASANT) Judge tm