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| HC rejects bail of accused cop | | Chit-Fund Racket | |
Early Times Report
Jammu, Nov 28: The High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh on Thursday came down heavily on a serving police personnel accused of running a chit-fund racket worth Rs 34.25 lakh, as it dismissed his plea seeking protection from arrest. The Court held that a member of a disciplined force facing allegations of duping the public through financial schemes “does not deserve the benevolence of anticipatory bail.”
The bail petition was filed by Vijay Khokhar, a Follower in the Police Department presently posted with JKAP 7th Battalion, who apprehended arrest in FIR No. 0048/2025 registered by the Crime Branch for offences under Sections 409 and 420 IPC. The complaint, lodged by Sanjeev Sharma, alleges that Khokhar had been illegally operating an auction-based chit-fund business under the name ‘M/s Mala Enterprises’ and embezzling subscribers’ deposits, causing massive financial loss to investors.
Despite repeated notices issued by investigators, the petitioner did not join the investigation and his conduct was recorded as non-cooperative, prompting the Crime Branch to strongly oppose bail on the ground that granting protection would seriously hamper the probe. The agency further pointed out that Khokhar is already facing another FIR for similar offences, suggesting a pattern of habitual cheating.
Justice Shahzad Azeem, after perusing the case diary and status report presented in court, observed that the matter involves economic offences causing public loss, which demand a cautious judicial approach, particularly when the accused is himself entrusted with public trust and discipline. The Court maintained that anticipatory bail is an extraordinary remedy and cannot be invoked to shield an accused who evades investigation and undermines law-enforcement norms.
Concluding that no exceptional circumstance exists to justify interference, the High Court dismissed the plea, holding that the petitioner “does not deserve the concession of bail in anticipation of arrest” while the investigation remains at a crucial stage. The case diary has been directed to be returned to the Investigating Officer for further proceedings. (JNF) |
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