PRATIK DILIPBHAI CHORWADIYA Vs. STATE OF GUJARAT

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The present appeal has been filed by the appellant - original accused No.1 under Sec. 21(4) of National Investigation Agency Act, 2008 (NIA Act) read with Sec. 439 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 ('Cr.PC') with a prayer that the appellant be enlarged on Regular Bail in connection with an F.I.R initially registered vide I-C.R. No. 20/2019 with DCB Police Station, Surat and subsequently re-registered vide RC No. 25/2019/NIA/DLI with the National Investigation Agency, for alleged offences punishable under Ss. 489A, 489B, 489C, 489D, 120B and 34 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).

(2.) Heard Mr. Dhruvin Dossani, learned advocate appearing for the appellant, Mr. Kshitij Amin, learned Central Government Standing Counsel for respondent No.2 and Mr. L.B. Dabhi, learned APP appearing for respondent No.1- State.

(3.) Learned advocate for the appellant submitted that the FIR being C.R. No. I-20/2019 came to be initially registered with DCB Police Station, Surat City on 24/11/2019 under the aforesaid provisions of the IPC . Thereafter, the said case was re-registered with National Investigation Agency as RC No. 25/2019 /NIA/ DLI. It is submitted that as per the allegations levelled in the FIR, on an information that was received by PSI, DCB Police Station, the Car of the appellant was intercepted at Sarthan-Kamrej Road and during the personal search, a bundle of 203 Fake Indian Currency Notes of 2000 denomination of face value of Rs.4,06,000.00 as well as one Mobile Phone was recovered. However, on being asked about the said Notes, it is alleged that the appellant revealed names of 5 more persons, who are joined as co- accused in the said FIR. It is alleged that the appellant has committed in connivance with the co-accused, offence punishable under Sec. 489A, 489B, 489C, 489D read with Ss. 120B and 34 of the IPC.