The Bombay High Court has granted bail to Dharmendra Singh, also known as Dharmesh Jayprakash Singh, a notorious history-sheeter, in connection with a 2008 share forgery and fraud case. Singh, a known absconder, was finally arrested on April 15, 2024, after evading arrest for years. The case, registered under FIR No. 68/2008 with the Economic Offences Wing (EOW), involves charges of forgery, cheating, and conspiracy under Sections 419, 420, 465, 467, 468, and 471 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) for the illegal transfer of shares.
Case Overview:
Singh and his co-accused were implicated in a scheme to fraudulently transfer shares to a beneficiary using forged documents. Despite the FIR being lodged in 2008, Singh remained an absconder for over a decade. He was eventually arrested in 2024 after being on the run, solidifying his reputation as a habitual offender.
The prosecution opposed Singh’s bail application, emphasizing his record as a history-sheeter involved in multiple criminal cases. Singh had previously been arrested in 2019 in connection with four other cases, all linked to economic offences. Despite being granted bail, Singh violated court conditions, leading to the issuance of non-bailable warrants. He was re-arrested in April 2019, only to be released on bail again.
Defense’s Argument:
Singh’s defense acknowledged his past transgressions but argued that the trial in the 2008 case had not progressed, and there was no indication that it would be completed in the near future. The defense stressed that Singh had already been in custody for over six months and continuing his detention served no purpose. Additionally, they pointed out that while Singh facilitated the forgery, he was not the primary beneficiary of the fraudulent share transfers—the co-accused, who benefited the most, was already out on bail.
Court’s Decision:
Presiding Judge Manish Pitale noted Singh’s checkered past and absconding behavior but recognized the significant delay in bringing the case to trial. While the prosecution highlighted Singh’s habitual criminal conduct, the judge acknowledged that keeping him in custody indefinitely would not serve justice, especially given the long wait for trial. The court also criticized the investigating agency for failing to apprehend Singh earlier, despite his prior arrests in other cases.
As a result, the court granted Singh bail under stringent conditions. He must provide a personal bond of ₹1,00,000, report to the EOW office twice a month, and surrender his passport. Singh is also prohibited from tampering with evidence or influencing witnesses. Any violation of these conditions would result in the immediate cancellation of his bail.
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