MANOJ RAMESH MEHTA Vs. STATE OF MAHARASHTRA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Leave granted. Heard parties.

(2.) The appellant is Accused No. 42 in Special Case No. 2/2003, on the file of Special Judge, MCOCA, Pune, arising from CR No. 135/2002, Bund Garden Police Station, Pune. He challenges the order dated 23-1-2007 passed by the High Court of Bombay in Criminal Application No. 1795 of 2006, rejecting his application for bail.

(3.) The appellant was arrested on 11-6-2003 in connection with an FIR relating to counterfeiting stamps/stamp papers (Telgi case) for offences under sections 120-B, 255, 34, 109 of IPC read with Sections 3(1)(ii), 3(2), 3(5) and Section 4 of Maharashtra Control of Organized Crimes Act 1999 ('MCOC Act' for short). The appellant alleges that an FIR was registered on 7-6-2002 and a charge-sheet was filed on 3-9-2002; that the charges framed were set aside by the High Court with a direction to frame fresh charges; that a fresh charge-sheet was filed on 15-9-2003; that the prosecution has cited eight hunded witnesses; that among the 68 accused, two have died, one has absconded, four have been discharged, 43 have been convicted on admission of guilt under Section 229, Cr. P.C. and the remaining 18 are facing trial; and that there is no likelihood of an early completion of trial.