Application for bail under Sec.438 of Cr.P.C. 2. Petitioners are accused in Crime No.1636 of 2014 of Pathanamthitta Police station registered for offences punishable under Sec.17 of Kerala Money Lenders Act and Secs.3 read with Sec.9 of the Kerala Prohibition of Charging Exorbitant Interests Act.
3. The allegation against the petitioners is that on 27.08.2014, Police officers conducted a raid in the premises of Hinduja Leyland Finance Limited, a non banking institution. Lot of cheque leaves, signed blank papers and vehicle keys were recovered from the institution. The petitioners are officers of the branch where the raid was conducted.
4. Heard the learned senior counsel for the petitioners and the learned Public Prosecutor.
5. Learned counsel for the petitioners submitted that the petitioners are officers of an authorised company engaged in financing for the purchase of vehicles. They have 568 branches all over India.
6. Learned Public Prosecutor opposed the bail application. It is submitted that some of the cheque leaves and stamp papers obtained in the raid were blank.
7. Considering the nature of allegations, bail is granted to the petitioners with the following conditions.
i. The petitioners shall be released on bail on their executing bond for Rs.25,000/- (Rupees twenty five thousand only) each with two solvent sureties each for the like sum to the satisfaction of the Investigating Officer.
ii. The sureties shall produce documents to establish their identity and solvency.
iii. The petitioners shall report before the investigating officer on all Saturdays between 9.00 a.m. and 10.00 a.m. until final report is filed.
iv. The petitioners shall not intimidate or influence the witnesses or meddle with the investigation.
v. The petitioners shall co-operate with investigation of the case.
vi. The petitioners shall not use the blank cheque leaves and other documents seized in this case for recovery of the amounts involved therein.
A. HARIPRASAD JUDGE NS