Mumbai: The Bombay High Court showed sensitivity towards an alleged ‘kingpin’ of a Rs 2,000 crore foreign remittance scam. The HC granted ‘limited relief’ to the accused, who sought bail citing the health of his wife.
A bench of Justices Ranjit More and Bharati Dangre considered the ‘special circumstances’ in the case of Mohammed Farooq Mohammed Hanif Sheikh and granted him a limited bail till June 18, enabling him to take care of his wife and three children.
Sheikh was arrested in April 2018 for his role in the alleged multi-crore scam, which came to light after the Union Bank of India found that huge foreign remittances were made against forged import documents at its Kalbadevi and Santacruz (West) branches by certain private firms, in October 2015.
The bench of Justice More was petitioned by Sheikh, seeking bail citing the grave ailment of his wife, who was advised by doctors for a hysteron laparoscopy at the earliest. As the procedure involved the removal of tissue from her uterus, she was further advised for a complete rest for four to six weeks to avoid complications.
In order to substantiate his claims, Sheikh handed over a certificate prepared by a private multi-speciality hospital, stating the medical treatment to be given to his wife.
Having perused the document, the bench said, “We have considered the certificate produced on record and we are satisfied that Sheikh’s wife needs immediate attention.”
“Sheikh’s other difficulty is that he is having three children and the elder son, aged 11 years, is suffering from Dysarthria since his birth. Apart from this, there are two other children who are aged 10 years and two years, respectively.
His difficulty is that in case his wife is required to be medically attended to there is no one in the family to take care of his three children and this is why he seeks bail,” the bench noted.
The judges, while granting limited bail to Sheikh, also took into account the fact that another bench of the HC had earlier turned down his plea for bail.
“We are considering the special circumstances in this case and, therefore, at this juncture, we deem it appropriate to permit Sheikh to attend to his wife either in the hospital or at home,” the bench said.
The judges have further ordered the Taloja jail authorities to ensure at least two police officials are deputed with Sheikh 24×7.
“It is made clear that for the benefit which we are conferring upon Sheikh, he would bear the necessary expenses, including expenses for travel, boarding and lodging of the police officials accompanying him during the aforesaid period.”
