Bombay HC Grants Pre-Arrest Bail To Vehicle Dealer In Multi-Crore Vehicle Registration Scam

Mumbai: In an ongoing vehicle registration scam, the Bombay High Court has granted pre-arrest bail to a vehicle dealer accused of involvement in the illegal registration of out-of-state vehicles using forged documents.

The scam, which reportedly involves 87 vehicles and several accused including government officials, was uncovered by the Amboli Police following a complaint by the Deputy Regional Transport Officer (RTO), Mumbai.

Vacation judge, Justice Ashwin Bhobe, granted relief to Mohamad Abdul Raheman Malik observing: “Custodial interrogation of the Applicant in the present crime is not necessary,” considering the filing of the charge sheet and the limited role attributed to the accused.

Malik claimed he had “bonafidely purchased two Eicher Bus/Truck vehicles” in Maharashtra and later sold them. His advocate Nizamuddin Khan argued that the only reference to the applicant in the case papers was his contact with two co-accused, Shailesh Patil and Albert Jockey D’Souza, both of whom were granted bail in December 2024.

Khan further contended that his client had cooperated with the investigation and was prepared to do so further. Malik approached the HC after his pre-arrest bail application was rejected by the Sessions Court on April 15.

State prosecutor Megha Bajoria opposed the plea, stating that the crime pertains to a scam wherein vehicles from other states were registered in Maharashtra by creating false documents with the involvement of government officials. She said custodial interrogation was essential to probe financial transactions and trace ownership details.

Despite the prosecution’s concerns, the court granted pre-arrest bail, citing parity with the co-accused and the absence of direct evidence. “The applicant shall be released on PR (personal) Bond of Rs 50,000 with one or two sureties” if arrested, the court directed.

Malik is also required to report to the Amboli Police Station and must not tamper with evidence or influence witnesses.