DEEPAK SHARMA Vs. DISTRICT MAGISTRATE ALIGARH

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The above two matters were heard together and are being disposed of by this single order, as the detention orders in both these cases are based on one and the same case and similar questions of law have also been raised to challenge the detention orders.

(2.) Case Crime No. 105 of 1997 for offences under Sections 467. 468. 489A, 489B, 489C, 489D and 489E read with Section 120B of the I.P.C was initiated at police station. Civil Lines, Allgarh, on 15.4.97 at 6.20 a.m., upon a raid and recovery that took place on the previous night at about 11.00 p.m. It is stated that a printing press under the name and style Graphics & Printers Press, mohalla Mathura Nagar, was raided by the Circle Officer, Civil Lines, Allgarh on a source information. When the police party reached the press, they found the outer shutter partly open. People inside were talking among themselves. There was electric light inside the press. One of the inmates was heard uttering "Deepak, the travellers cheque books have not been stapled nor have they been cut." A second voice was heard saying "Do not worry Banwari Lal, all the goods are ready, after print, cutting and stapling would be done by the night." At that point of time, police party entered into the press. There were eight inmates who were apparently apprehensive. They were found cutting the traveller cheques to size, stapling them and counting them. These persons were surrounded. One Deepak Sharma son of Ramendra Pal Singh Sharma described himself as the partner of the press and disclosed that Banwari Lal and Pradeep Goyal had ordered printing of fake traveller cheques. Deepak further disclosed that his brother was another partner in the business while Dharmendra was his friend and was involved in the operation in the computer and helped him in printing. Ramendra Pal Singh Sharma father of Deepak also used to help him in printing and cutting. Mukesh and AJay were on the printing machine and they used to perform other Jobs also.

(3.) Deepak Sharma was found sitting on a chair and cutting the sheets of printed traveller cheques and checking each one. Prabhat Sharma was found stapling the cheques. Banwarl Lal allegedly admitted that he and Pradeep Kumar Goyal had ordered printing of these cheques to Deepak and all were involved in converting them by and by to cash. Banwari Lal was found packing the cheques in a piece of cloth. Ramendra Pal Singh, Dharmendra, Mukesh, AJay Kumar and Prabhat were engaged in counting the cheques. In the room itself, printing machines were there. In an attached room, there was a dark room and in another, there was a computer. The printed sheets, cut cheques and stapled bunches were seized which were of one thousand rupees denomination. The printing materials were sealed and the accused persons were arrested and thereafter the F.I.R. was lodged.