SANTHOSHKUMAR Vs. STATE OF KERALA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) This petition is for bail.

(2.) The alleged offences are under Sections 120B, 420, 465, 468 and 471 read with Section 34 of the Indian Penal Code. According to prosecution, petitioner(A5) committed forgery by creating false Demand Drafts by using cheque leaves. This was done for the purpose of producing before the Check Post, when live chicken was being transported in bulk from different parts of Tamil Nadu to Kerala. The Demand Drafts were produced towards Value Added Tax to be paid by dealers while transporting live chicken from other States to Kerala. A huge loss to the tune of Rs. 14 crores was caused to the Government. The offences were detected when the Demand Drafts were sent to Bank.

(3.) Petitioner was taken into custody on 30.1.2010. 25 cases were registered against him. The arrest of petitioner in this case was recorded on 28.4.2010. In all the cases together, petitioner is in custody for the past about five months. Learned Public Prosecutor submitted that he has no objection in granting bail, taking into consideration the stage of investigation and the fact that certain co-accused were granted bail. Petitioner himself was granted bail in some other cases.