Daijiworld Media Network - Panaji
Panaji, Sep 26: An inconclusive report from the Central Forensic Science Laboratory (CFSL), Pune, which could not conclusively establish that land-grab accused Siddique alias Suleman Khan had forged a disputed sale deed, became a key factor in the court granting him bail on Friday.
Additional Sessions Judge-1, Merces, Bosco G F Roberts, observed that the CFSL report constituted a “material change” in circumstances since Siddique’s earlier bail application had been rejected.
The court granted him bail on a personal bond of Rs 50,000 and one local surety for the same amount, subject to other conditions.
“The CFSL Report stating that it is not possible to state conclusively that it was the Accused who had forged the sale deed constitutes a material change in his circumstances, entitling him to move the present bail application,” the court observed in its order.
The court also noted that Siddique had secured bail in all other cases pending against him, including one in which he was allegedly reported to have escaped legal custody.
According to the court, the prosecution's proposal to conduct further investigation and obtain additional specimen signatures or handwriting samples from Siddique for forensic examination did not justify his continued detention.
“There is nothing to show that while he was absconding, the Accused had made any attempt to tamper with the evidence or to threaten or influence any of the witnesses of this or the other cases registered against him,” the court observed.
Siddique has been in custody since November 2024 in connection with the alleged forgery and fraudulent use of a sale deed relating to property at Chalta No. 2 of PT Sheet No. 67 in the City Survey Mapusa.
During the hearing, the prosecution alleged that the sale deed had been forged, inserted into the Sub-Registrar’s records and subsequently used to mutate the property in Siddique’s name. The prosecution argued that his continued custody was therefore necessary.
Advocate Sahil Sardessai, appearing for Siddique, submitted that despite several years of investigation and his prolonged custody, the CFSL report concerning the alleged forgery remained inconclusive.
He argued that the possibility of the prosecution seeking permission for further investigation and obtaining specimen signatures or handwriting samples could not be a ground to deny Siddique bail.
The court also held that the disappearance of old registration records, by itself, could not establish that the disputed sale deed was forged.