'Will lose job if arrested': Accused who obtained fake certificate granted bail

S Shyam Prasad

Bengaluru: Vasant, a Statistical Inspector promoted to the post of Assistant Statistical Officer was accused of submitting a fake certificate during his promotion process.

He approached the High Court pleading that he would lose his job if he was arrested in the case. The court granted him anticipatory bail on conditions till the case was investigated. Vasant was working as the Statistical Inspector and on November 11, 2016 he was promoted as the Assistant Statistical Officer in Hubballi-Dharwad Mahanagara Palike.

The Department had directed him to submit his graduation certificate mark sheet and other documents for verification for promotion. He had submitted the marks card and graduation certificate to the office of the Directorate of Economic & Statistics stating that he had graduated from the Karnataka State Open University, Mysore.

The Directorate sent these documents to the concerned University for verification. A report from the Vice chancellor (Examination) of the Karnataka State Open University stated that the said certificates were fake. A complaint was filed against Vasant at the Sub-urban Police Station, Hubballi. Approaching the HC, Vasant challenged the case stating that the promotion was given to him on Novembe 11, 2016 but the complaint was filed on October 29, 2022 after a delay of six years.

His advocate pleaded that “The petitioner is a Government Servant and if he is arrested he will lose his job,” and he would co-operate with the police in the investigation. The Government advocate opposed the bail plea on grounds that if Vasant was “granted anticipatory bail, he will hamper the investigation and tamper the prosecution witnesses.”

Justice Shivashankar Amarannavar granting anticipatory bail to Vasant said, “The maximum punishment that can be imposed for the offences alleged against the petitioner is 7 years. The petitioner is a Government Servant. If he is arrested, he will lose his job. The petitioner has undertaken to co-operate with the police in the investigation. The case of the prosecution is based on documents. In the facts and circumstances of the case and submission of the counsel, this Court is of the view that there are valid grounds for granting anticipatory bail subject to certain terms and conditions.”

Vasant’s bail conditions include a personal bond of Rs.1,00,000 lakh. He was also directed to mark his presence in the concerned police station on every Sunday for a period of two months or till filing of the final report whichever is earlier.v