STATE TIMES NEWS
JAMMU: Chief Judicial Magistrate Jammu, Amarjeet Singh Langeh rejected bail applications of four allegedly involved in fake SIM card scam and book in two different FIRs. As per police reports, Trikuta Nagar police station received information from reliable sources that some SIM vendors belonging to different service providers are engaged in selling of SIM cards fraudulently by preparing false documents, forging and faking identity related papers and other relevant record with intention to cheat service providers, thereby aiding and assisting criminals in order to get monetary benefits. Based on information, FIR no. 168/2022 for offences under sections 420/467/468 & 471 of IPC was registered. During the course of investigation, all the petitioners were found to be Point of Sale agents indulging in business of selling SIM cards. During investigation, it also came to fore that petitioners Deepak Kumar and Subash Thakur have their POS location inside 213 – Transit Camp at Panama Chowk, Jammu while as Petitioner Mohan Singh has his POS at Channi Rama near Transit Camp 76 CRPF. Investigating agency also collected evidence showing prima facie that petitioner Subash Thakur sold 61 SIMs to different customers based on fake and forged documents. He allegedly used photographs of locals and issued SIM cards to outsiders by forging their identity. Likewise, petitioners Deepak and Mohan Singh are alleged to have issued two and one SIM card to different customers respectively. One SIM card pertains to BSNL as service provider while as remaining 63 belong to Airtel. Investigating Agency asserts that role of service providers in cahoots with petitioners in preparation of fake documents followed by issuance of SIMs on fake and forged documents if any, is also being probed and investigation in that end is at initial stage. In another FIR registered by Gandhi Nagar Police station that on 23.06.2022, respondent police station allegedly received information from dependable channels that few Point of Sale (POS) vendors are involved in fraudulent selling of SIM cards by way of preparing false documents within the jurisdiction of respondent police station for monetary gain and in order to aid and assist criminals etc. etc. Based on this information, FIR no.152/2022 for offences under sections 420/467/468 & 471 of IPC was registered and investigation started. During the course of investigation, out of 11 SIM cards alleged to have been fraudulently issued, the investigating agency obtained Customer Application Forms (CAF) pertaining to 9 such SIM cards from Service Providers i.e., JIO, Airtel etc. 04 such SIMs have allegedly been issued by petitioner to different customers on the basis of fake identity documents.
Chief Judicial Magistrate Jammu Amarjeet Singh Langeh after hearing APP Kuldeep Bhat for Police whereas Advocate Sandeep Gupta for Deepak Kumar, Subash Thakur, Mohan Singh and Advocate Sahil Verma for Sahil Kumar, observed that investigation carried out thus far prima facie indicates that petitioner has forged Customer Application Forms (CAF) as aforesaid and issued 4 SIMs to different customers on the basis of fake identity documents.
“Investigation also insinuates that subsequently petitioner managed to activate the SIM cards so issued by fraudulent means. Under the guise of running Point of Sale (POS), petitioner therefore seems to have indulged in the activity which prima facie attracts offences under sections 420/467/468 & 471 of IPC. In the given context therefore, the offences alleged against petitioner have far reaching and humongous security implications also. That apart, offences under sections 420, 467 & 468 of IPC are non-bailable in nature. Not only this, offence under section 467 of IPC carries punishment upto life imprisonment. In the instant case, all these circumstances are poignantly poised against petitioner, more particularly when some vital aspects of the matter are still under investigation,” the Court observed and rejected bail applications.