Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 4: Chief Judicial Magistrate Jammu Amarjeet Singh Langeh has rejected the bail applications of Sunil Chawla, Deepak, Gajanand Meghwal and Monu Pankaj, all residents of Rajasthan, who were involved in cheating Mata Vaishno Devi pilgrims by offering fake helicopter tickets.
After hearing Advocate Nitin Bakshi for the applicants whereas APP Kuldeep Bhat for the police, CJM observed, “allegations against petitioners and evidence that investigating agency has thus far collected echoes inter-state manifestations of crime in question. One needs little persuasion to understand the trauma that befalls on innocent pilgrims who are allegedly sold fake tickets for helicopter service, to and fro from Katra to Sanjichat in the name of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board”.
“Furthermore, depressingly deteriorating impact on faith of public in the administration of criminal justice cannot be side stepped when allegations against petitioners are of such alarming proportion. This is all the more relevant when all the petitioners are from outside UT of J&K and if enlarged on bail at this stage, there is every likelihood of their fleeing from justice particularly against the backdrop of registration of various FIR(s) in Katra Police Station relating to scam of issuance of fake tickets in the name of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board and the two helicopter service providers”, the court said.
“Grant of bail to petitioners at this stage therefore shall only result in thwarting course of justice on facts. As per prosecution, the range of scam on hand is too big and many characters are yet to be traced and rounded up”, the court said, adding “investigation is at initial stage and petitioners if let off at this stage, would not only adversely hamper the ongoing investigation having wide ramifications but such course would indeed tantamount to foiling further investigation in the case”.
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