IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM PRESENT : THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE R.BASANT MONDAY, THE 1ST OCTOBER 2007 / 9TH ASWINA 1929 Bail Appl..No. 5920 of 2007() ----------------------------- [CRIME NO.509/2007 OF FORT POLICE STATION] .................... : PETITIONER/2ND ACCUSED --------------------------------------- RAVI @ JOHNY, S/O. VELUKUTTY, KOTTAKUZHYVILA VEEDU, AAZHIMZIZ, CHOWARA WARD NO.13, THEKKEKONAM, KOTTUKAL VILLAGE. BY ADV. SRI.D.KISHORE RESPONDENTS: STATE & COMPLAINANT -------------------------------- 1. STATE OF KERALA, REPRESENTED BY ITS PUBLIC PROSECUTOR, HIGH COURT OF KERALA, ERNAKULAM. 2. THE CIRCLE INSPECTOR OF POLICE, FORT POLICE STATION, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM. BY PUBLIC PROSECUTOR SRI.S.U.NAZER THIS BAIL APPLICATION HAVING COME UP FOR ADMISSION ON 01/10/2007, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY PASSED THE FOLLOWING: R.BASANT, J. ---------------------- B.A.No.5920 of 2007 ---------------------------------------- Dated this the 1st day of October 2007 O R D E R Application for regular bail. The petitioner is the second accused. He is a postmaster. There are two accused persons now. The first accused was arrested and 97 counterfeit currency notes of Rs.500/- denomination were seized from him at the time of arrest. On interrogation, he revealed information and later 391 counterfeit currency notes of Rs.500/- were seized from the possession of the first accused. The first accused, in his confession statement, revealed the complicity of the petitioner/second accused. Instrument used for fabricating currency notes and a zerox machine were allegedly seized from the premises of the petitioner. Two fake currency notes of Rs.100/- denomination were also seized. One sheet containing three Rs.100/-currency notes which was not cut out was also seized from the premises of the petitioner. Investigation is in progress. The petitioner continues in custody from 11/8/2007, on which date he was arrested. 2. The learned counsel for the petitioner submits that the petitioner is absolutely innocent. The petitioner, who has remained in custody from 11/8/2007 may now be enlarged on bail, prays the learned counsel for the petitioner. B.A.No.5920/07 2 3. The application is opposed by the learned Public Prosecutor. Investigation is not complete. The investigator in a case like this may be given reasonable further time to complete the investigation. Higher links in the chain have to be ascertained, arrested and interrogated. Grant of regular bail to the petitioner at this stage would hamper the smooth course of investigation, submits the learned Public Prosecutor. 4. I find merit in the opposition by the learned Public Prosecutor. I have considered all the relevant inputs including the nature and gravity of the allegations, nature of the data collected and the stage of investigation. I am certainly in agreement with the learned Public Prosecutor that it is too early to consider the release of the petitioner on regular bail. 5. In the result, this petition is dismissed. However, I may hasten to observe that the petitioner shall be at liberty to move this court or the courts below for bail again at a later stage of investigation not, at any rate, prior to 15/10/2007. The investigating officer shall, in the meantime, make every endeavour to expeditiously complete the investigation. (R.BASANT, JUDGE) jsr // True Copy// PA to Judge B.A.No.5920/07 3 B.A.No.5920/07 4 R.BASANT, J. CRL.M.CNo. ORDER 21ST DAY OF MAY2007