Early Times Report
Jammu, Sept 30: In a significant order, the Court of Principal Sessions Judge, Jammu, presided over by Shri Y.P. Bourney, has discharged Ravi Chandran alias Ravi S/o Shrinawas in a long-pending fake passport and fake stamp case registered in 2001.
The case (FIR No. 4/2001 of Police Station JIC Jammu) was filed under Sections 420, 466, 473, 120-B RPC and Section 12 of the Passport Act against several accused, including Farooq Ahmed Sheikh, Habib Ullah Malik, Gh. Ahmad Mir, Mohd. Ayub Haji, and Ravi Chandran.
According to the prosecution, the accused were alleged to have prepared fake rubber stamps bearing the inscriptions “Govt. of India” and “Bharat Sarkar” for use in forging passports by replacing the photographs of genuine holders with those of the accused.
However, during the proceedings, the Court found no direct evidence linking Ravi Chandran to the alleged preparation of fake stamps. While a few witnesses mentioned accompanying accused Mohd. Ayub to his shop, none stated that Ravi Chandran was directly involved in the act. Furthermore, the Investigating Officer failed to verify with the Passport Office whether the disputed stamps were actually fake.
Taking note of the fact that the other co-accused had already been acquitted after a full-fledged trial, the Court ruled that no prima facie case was made out against Ravi Chandran. Accordingly, he was discharged from all charges. (JNF) |
