PRATIBHA MANCHANDA vs. THE STATE OF HARYANA

Case Type: Criminal Appeal

Date of Judgment: 07-07-2023

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2023 INSC 612 REPORTABLE IN THE SUPREME COURT OF INDIA CRIMINAL APPELLATE JURISDICTION CRIMINAL APPEAL NO 1793 OF 2023 [Arising out of Special Leave Petition (Crl.) No.8146 2023] [Arising out of Special Leave Petition (Crl.) D.No.20936 of 2022]
Pratibha Manchanda & Anr.… Appellant(s)
VERSUS
State of Haryana & Anr.… Respondent(s)
JUDGMENT Surya Kant, J. 1.  Application seeking permission to file the SLP is allowed. Leave Granted. 2. The instant appeal arises from a judgment of the   High   Court   of   Punjab   and   Haryana   at Signature Not Verified Digitally signed by satish kumar yadav Date: 2023.07.07 16:29:47 IST Reason: Crl. A. No.___ of 2023 @ SLP (CRL.) D. NO. 20936 OF 2022              Page 1 of 32 Chandigarh   (hereinafter,   ‘High   Court’)   dated 31.05.2022,   whereby   the   High   Court   allowed   the petition   filed   under   Section   438   of   the   Code   of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (hereinafter, ‘Cr.P.C’) and granted anticipatory bail to Respondent No. 2 in FIR No. 113 of 2022, dated 16.03.2022, registered at PS Badshahpur,   district   Gurugram,   under   Sections 406, 420, 467, 468, 471 and 120­B of the Indian Penal Code, 1860 (hereinafter, ‘IPC’).  A. FACTS 3. The   abovementioned   FIR   was   lodged   by   the Appellants   against   Respondent   No.   2   and   other co­accused individuals, namely, Shel Narang,  Bhim Singh and Vinod. According to the contents of the FIR,   the   Appellants   are   senior   citizens   who   were owners   and had possession over the land bearing rect.   No.   55,   Killa   No.   3/1   (7­9),   4/1   (7­13), Crl. A. No.___ of 2023 @ SLP (CRL.) D. NO. 20936 OF 2022              Page 2 of 32 measuring 15 Kanal 2 Marla, situated within the revenue estate of Village Begampur Khatola, Tehsil Kadipur,   District   Gurugram   (hereinafter,   ‘Subject Land’) for over a period of 30 years. The Appellants claim   that   they   never   sold   the   Subject   Land   to anyone nor have they ever executed any power of attorney   (hereinafter,   ‘GPA’)   in   favor   of   any   third party.   The   area   has,   in   their   version   of   events, always been unequivocally under their possession and has never been ceded in any form or fashion to people outside the family. 4. On 28.02.2022, Appellant No. 2 went to Patwar Bhawan, Gurugram to obtain revenue papers for the Subject   Land.   He   discovered   there   only   that   a person named Bhim Singh Rathi had approached the   halqa   patwari   to   sanction   mutation   of   the aforementioned land. The application for mutation Crl. A. No.___ of 2023 @ SLP (CRL.) D. NO. 20936 OF 2022              Page 3 of 32 was, as per the Appellants, based on a forged and fabricated sale deed bearing vasika No. 11493 dated 24.02.2022   (hereinafter,   ‘2022   Sale   Deed’).   After looking   into   the   matter   further,   Appellant   No.   2 learned that the said sale deed was registered in the office of Sub­Registrar Kadipur, District Gurugram and   was   executed   by   Respondent   No.   2.   The execution   in   question   was   based   on   yet  another, purportedly,     forged   and   fabricated   GPA   bearing Vasika   No.   13907   dated   18.09.1996   (hereinafter, ‘1996   GPA’),     registered   in   the   office   of Sub­Registrar­V, South East Delhi.  5. The   Appellants,   as   alluded   to   earlier,   have adopted   the   stance   that   they   never   executed   or registered any GPA in favor of Respondent No. 2, nor are they even acquainted with him in any form or   fashion.   Instead,   both   the   1996   GPA   and   the Crl. A. No.___ of 2023 @ SLP (CRL.) D. NO. 20936 OF 2022              Page 4 of 32 2022   Sale   Deed   were   completely   fraudulent documents created by Respondent No. 2 and the remaining   co­accused   named   in   the   FIR,   in collusion with other officials at the  Sub­Registrar's office. These actions were carried out in complete subterfuge   and   without   any   involvement   of   the Appellants. 6. The   Appellants   claim   that   they   are   in possession of the original sale deed for the Subject Land,  and   a  true  copy  of  it  was  attached  to  the complaint.  Upon examining the 2022 Sale Deed, it was apparent to them that the accused had failed to provide   a   PAN   Number,   which   is   mandatorily required for a valid sale deed. Furthermore, there was no mention of  the 1% amount of Tax Deducted at Source (hereinafter, ‘TDS’) being deposited, which Crl. A. No.___ of 2023 @ SLP (CRL.) D. NO. 20936 OF 2022              Page 5 of 32 also forms part of the requirements for execution and registration of a sale deed. 7. The   complaint   also   mentioned   the   current market value of the Appellants' land, measuring 15 Kanal   2   Marla,   as   being   approximately     not   less than Rs. 50 crores. However, in the 2022 Sale Deed, the sale consideration was  shown as an abjectly low and   meager   amount   of   Rs.   6,60,62,500/­,   which was   significantly   below   its   actual   asking   price. Moreover, the Appellants had not received even this miniscule amount even if the 2022 Sale Deed was hypothetically   considered   to   be   valid.   Thus,   this document was clearly created by Respondent No. 2 and the co­accused in collusion with the witnesses, the scribe, and officials of the Sub­Registrar Tehsil Kadipur,   District   Gurugram,   with   the   unholy intention to wisk the property away from the   the Crl. A. No.___ of 2023 @ SLP (CRL.) D. NO. 20936 OF 2022              Page 6 of 32 complainants and place it under the possession of the accused.   8. Accordingly, the  First Information Report was registered   at   Police   Station,   Badshahpur, Gurugram,   and   an   investigation   was   initiated. Respondent No. 2, fearing arrest if he were asked to appear   before   the     Investigating   Officer,   filed   an application   for   Anticipatory   Bail   before   the Additional Sessions Judge, Gurugram. The   Additional   Sessions   Judge,   Gurugram, 9. dismissed   Respondent   No.   2's   application   for anticipatory   bail   in   an   order   dated   23.05.2022, while observing that: i. Respondent   No.   2   was   accused   of   allegedly forging   a   GPA   and   executing   the   2022   Sale Deed. The original 1996 GPA was still to   be Crl. A. No.___ of 2023 @ SLP (CRL.) D. NO. 20936 OF 2022              Page 7 of 32 recovered   by   the   police.   Several   questions pertaining to the whereabouts of the 1996 GPA, the execution of the sale deed, the payment of sale consideration, sanctioning of the mutation, and the relationship between Respondent No. 2 and the Appellants,  were all to be ascertained;  ii.  The allegations against Respondent No. 2 were serious, and filing a civil suit did not absolve them of criminal liability. Anticipatory bail was to   be   granted   only   in   exceptional circumstances,   as   a   person   under   pre­arrest bail   may   not   disclose   all   the   relevant   facts under   questioning,   due   to   the   safeguard provided   under   Section   438   of   the   Cr.P.C. Custodial   interrogation   of   Respondent   No.   2 was     necessary   for   a   thorough   investigation, Crl. A. No.___ of 2023 @ SLP (CRL.) D. NO. 20936 OF 2022              Page 8 of 32 given all the outstanding points of inquiry that remained pending. 10. Aggrieved,   Respondent   No.   2   filed   an application   for   Anticipatory   Bail   before   the   High Court. The High Court, vide impugned order dated 31.05.2022, allowed the application   and  granted him Anticipatory Bail. The High Court,   inter alia , observed that: i. The dispute involves the validity of the 1996 GPA and the misappropriation of the purported sale consideration. Civil suits have been filed regarding the ownership and possession of the property   already   and   a   handwriting   expert's report   was   crucial   in   determining   the authenticity of the signatures;  Crl. A. No.___ of 2023 @ SLP (CRL.) D. NO. 20936 OF 2022              Page 9 of 32 ii.  The High Court acknowledged the pendency of ongoing   civil   suits   and   suggested   that   the validity of the 1996 GPA's execution could be determined by the civil court, and did not need to be a determinative factor in the proceedings for anticpatory bail;  iii. Prima facie , it seemed that the involvement of the   criminal   justice   system,   initiated   by   the Appellants,   might   be   an   attempt   to   settle certain   transactions   and   resolve   ongoing disputes between them. In this background, to ensure   that   justice   was   done   for   both   the Appellants and Respondent No. 2, directions were issued for them to provide their specimen signatures. The handwriting expert was tasked with comparing the writings and signatures to assess their similarity.” Crl. A. No.___ of 2023 @ SLP (CRL.) D. NO. 20936 OF 2022              Page 10 of 32 11.   The   High   Court   ordered   that   no   arrest   of Respondent No. 2 would be carried out as long as he provided personal and surety bonds of Rs. 2 lakhs each to the satisfaction of the investigating officer. While   extending   these   protections,   Respondent No.   2   was   also   instructed   to   cooperate   with   the investigation   whenever   required   and   to   give   an undertaking   to avoid tampering with prosecution evidence,   or   influence   any   of   the   witnesses. Furthermore, a deposit of of Rs. 1.50 Crores was to be subimtted before the concerned Magistrate which would   serve   as   victim   compensation   and   be disbursed based on the outcome of the trial. 12. The Appellants being aggrieved at the grant of anticipatory bail, are before us. B. CONTENTIONS Crl. A. No.___ of 2023 @ SLP (CRL.) D. NO. 20936 OF 2022              Page 11 of 32 13. Shri   Saket   Sikri,   learned   counsel   for   the Appellants,   vehemently   contended   that   the   High Court acted on the erroneous assumption that the alleged 1996 GPA in favor of Respondent No. 2 is genuine.   The   original   copy   of   1996   GPA  has   not been recovered by the police till date, and hence, custodial interrogation is required. Furthermore, the High Court failed to consider that despite the 1996 GPA being executed in favour of Respondent No. 2, he  applied  for its  certified  copy only  in February 2022, i.e., 26 years later, whereas he should have possessed the original already if his claim is to be bona   fide .   The   present   case   is   one   where Respondent No. 2, in collusion with other accused persons, has carried out an elaborate fraud against the Appellants, who are vulnerable owing to their age and the NRI status. Additionally, the signatures Crl. A. No.___ of 2023 @ SLP (CRL.) D. NO. 20936 OF 2022              Page 12 of 32 used by Appellant No. 2 during the period between 1990­2000 are dissimilar, unalike and non­identical from   those   inscribed   on   the   alleged   GPA   dated 18.09.1996.   In   addition,   the   consideration   of   the alleged sale deed ­ Rs. 6.60 crores ­ is far less than the   market   value   of   the   Subject   Land,   which   is stated to be Rs. 50 crores. 14. Ms.   Bansuri   Swaraj,   learned   Additional Advocate   General   appearing   on   behalf   of Respondent   No.   1   –   State   of   Haryana,   strongly contested   the   grant   of   anticipatory   bail   to Respondent No. 2 and supported the stand taken by the Appellants. It was argued that a strong prima facie case has been made out against Respondent No. 2, and that his custodial interrogation is vital to the objective of unearthing the larger conspiracy. Crl. A. No.___ of 2023 @ SLP (CRL.) D. NO. 20936 OF 2022              Page 13 of 32 15. Shri Maninder Singh, learned Senior Counsel representing Respondent No. 2, vigorously defended High Court’s view and asserted that each and every allegation, contention, and submission made by the Appellants   was   factually   and   legally   incorrect. Learned   Senior   Counsel   argued   that   Respondent No.2 had originally purchased the land in question from the Appellants in the year 1996. However, at that time, there was a third­party lease existing on the land. In order to address this, the Appellants executed 1996 GPA, which was duly registered at the office of the Sub­Registrar, Kalkaji, Delhi. This GPA has not been disputed in any court of law and has not been challenged by the Appellants up to the time the civil suits were filed, clearly showing that the   contestation   of   its   validity   was   merely   an afterthought.   Respondent   No.   2   had   full Crl. A. No.___ of 2023 @ SLP (CRL.) D. NO. 20936 OF 2022              Page 14 of 32 authorization through the 1996 GPA to execute a registered  deed of conveyance for  the property  in question   and   receive   consideration   for   it.   On 24.02.2022,   Respondent   No.   2   sold   the   land through   the   exercise   of   power   vested   in   him   by virtue of the 1996 GPA. However, the purchasers have not been included as parties before this Court. The   authenticity   of   the   GPA   had   been   verified according to the report of the Sub Registrar, Kalkaji, dated 13.02.2022 and the sale of the land only took place after the receipt of the verification report. It was   only   after   this   that   the   Appellants   began threatening Respondent No. 2 and the purchasers, and subsequently filed the civil suits contesting the validity of the GPA. Furthermore, the High Court has granted anticipatory bail to Respondent No. 2 subject   to   strict   conditions   such   as   providing specimen signatures to the Investigating Officer and Crl. A. No.___ of 2023 @ SLP (CRL.) D. NO. 20936 OF 2022              Page 15 of 32 depositing   Rs.   1.50   crores.   The   police   have   also obtained records from the Sub Registrar's office and Respondent   No.   2   has   complied   with   all   the conditions imposed on him by the High Court. C. ANALYSIS 16. It goes without saying that the alleged offences of forging documents for transferring ownership of land   worth  crores   of   rupees   are  grave   in   nature. Hence, while it is extremely important to protect the personal liberty of a person, it is equally incumbent upon us to analyze the seriousness of the offence and   determine   if   there   is   a   need   for   custodial interrogation. 17. In  Siddharam Satlingappa Mhetre v. State 1 of Maharashtra ,   this Court carefully considered the principles established by the Constitution Bench 1  (2011) 1 SCC 694. Crl. A. No.___ of 2023 @ SLP (CRL.) D. NO. 20936 OF 2022              Page 16 of 32 2 in   Gurbaksh   Singh   Sibbia   v.   State   of   Punjab case.   After   a   thorough   deliberation,   this   court arrived at the following conclusion: "112.   The   following   factors   and parameters   can   be   taken   into consideration   while   dealing   with anticipatory bail: (i) The   nature   and   gravity   of   the accusation   and   the   exact   role   of   the accused must be properly comprehended before arrest is made; (ii) The   antecedents   of   the   applicant including   the   fact   as   to   whether   the accused   has   previously   undergone imprisonment on conviction by a court in respect of any cognizable offence; (iii) The possibility of the applicant to flee from justice; (iv)The   possibility   of   the   accused's likelihood   to   repeat   similar   or   other offences; (v) Where the accusations have been made only   with   the   object   of   injuring   or humiliating the applicant by arresting him or her; (vi)Impact   of   grant   of   anticipatory   bail, particularly   in   cases   of   large   magnitude affecting a very large number of people. xxx xxx xxx” 2  (1980) 2 SCC 565. Crl. A. No.___ of 2023 @ SLP (CRL.) D. NO. 20936 OF 2022              Page 17 of 32 18. In   Sushila   Aggarwal   v.   State   (NCT   of 3 ,   the   Constitution   Bench   reaffirmed   that Delhi) when considering applications for anticipatory bail, courts should consider factors such as the nature and gravity of the offences, the role attributed to the applicant, and the specific facts of the case. 19. The   relief   of   Anticipatory   Bail   is   aimed   at safeguarding individual rights. While it serves as a crucial tool to prevent the misuse of the power of arrest   and   protects   innocent   individuals   from harassment,   it   also   presents   challenges   in maintaining a delicate balance between individual rights and the interests of justice. The tight rope we must   walk   lies   in   striking   a   balance   between safeguarding individual rights and protecting public interest. While the right to liberty and presumption 3  (2018) 7 SCC 731. Crl. A. No.___ of 2023 @ SLP (CRL.) D. NO. 20936 OF 2022              Page 18 of 32 of innocence are vital, the court must also consider the gravity of the offence, the impact on society, and the need for a fair and free investigation. The court's discretion in weighing these interests in the facts and circumstances of each individual case becomes crucial to ensure a just outcome. 20. Adverting to some of the undisputed facts in this case, it is clear that the 1996 GPA has not yet seen the light of the day. No indication regarding the location of the original document has been placed before   us.   In   light   of   Respondent   No.   2’s   own contention, what transpired in 1996 was the sale of the Subject Land through the GPA. Upon reviewing a copy of the alleged 1996 GPA presented to the court, the Appellants relinquished all crucial rights pertaining to the Subject Land. These rights include possession   of   the   land,   handling   water,   sewer, Crl. A. No.___ of 2023 @ SLP (CRL.) D. NO. 20936 OF 2022              Page 19 of 32 electricity,   power   connections,   and   other   services related to the property, paying lease payments and other dues, making additions or modifications to the existing   structure   with   required   permissions, renting out the land, issuing receipts, and managing tenant­related matters. Furthermore, the Appellants granted   authority   for   selling,   disposing,   or transferring the land, entering into agreements, and receiving consideration on behalf of the principal. However, regardless of obtaining all the rights over the Subject Land, Respondent No. 2 does not appear to have ever informed the Revenue/local authorities that   he   had   purportedly   ‘purchased’   the   Subject Land   through  a  GPA.   The   ownership   of   the  land always remained in the name of the Appellants in the revenue record and no application for change of nd mutation, etc. was moved by the 2   Respondent. We are informed that at a very belated stage, after Crl. A. No.___ of 2023 @ SLP (CRL.) D. NO. 20936 OF 2022              Page 20 of 32 the execution of the alleged 1996 GPA, a portion of the Subject Land was acquired by the Government and compensation in this regard was paid to the Appellants. Respondent No. 2 neither objected to the payment of such compensation nor asserted his title over the land, which he normally would have done had he possessed any rights over it. It would be incongrous to accept transfer of ownership rights in an   immovable   property   merely   on   execution   of   a power of attorney. We must keep in mind that the Subject Land is 21. a prime property situated in the National Capital Region. Even in the year 1996, it’s value must have nd been quite significant.   The 2   Respondent has so far   not   been   able   to   show   payment   of   any consideration to the Appellants in the year 1996. The   original   GPA,   as   we   have   noted   on   multiple Crl. A. No.___ of 2023 @ SLP (CRL.) D. NO. 20936 OF 2022              Page 21 of 32 ocassions, is conspicuous by its absence. A certified copy of this GPA is said to have been relied upon to execute   the   disputed   sale   deed.   We   fail   to understand or comprehend as to how a   bona fide purchaser   could   pay   crores   of   rupees   as   sale consideration   to   a   person   who   neither   possesses documents   showing   ownership   and   title   nor   has original GPA of  the  true  owner(s) of  the  property being sold.  The fact that the sale deed was allegedly executed  without mentioning  the  PAN  Number  or without   deducting   TDS,   underlines   the   dubious nature of this transaction. We are equally intrigued at the behaviour of  the Registering Authorities and their   acceptance   of   the   conveyance   deed     in   the absence of these formalities being completed. The Sub­Registrar   and   his   officials   were   obligated   to verify the ownership rights before registration of the Crl. A. No.___ of 2023 @ SLP (CRL.) D. NO. 20936 OF 2022              Page 22 of 32 sale deed. As per the Appellants’ claim, the   prior original   sale   deeds   of   the   land   are   still   in   their possession. The fact that the vendee agreed to pay such massive sums of money to Respondent No. 2 without   obtaining   the   original   records   as   of   now casts   a   shadow   over   the   legitimacy   of   the transaction. 22. It warrants mention here that the Appellants are elderly couple. Being NRIs, the majority of their time is spent abroad. They have stated that they were   not   in   India   at   the   time   of   execution   of disputed sale deed. The Appellants’ claim that the market value of the land is not less than   Rs. 50 crores, although not got verified yet by a valuation expert, does not appear to be far off the mark. There is a serious allegation of under­valuation of the land at the time of execution of the allegedly fraudulent Crl. A. No.___ of 2023 @ SLP (CRL.) D. NO. 20936 OF 2022              Page 23 of 32 sale deed.  The contention that the consideration of Rs.6.60 crores is much less than the market value of the Subject Land, thus, also requires a deeper probe. We   are   not   oblivious   of   the   fact   that 23. Respondent No. 2 is said to have applied for the certified copy of the 1996 GPA in February, 2022 after a period of 26 years since its execution.  It is also unclear  why, given that when the Subject Land is situated in Gurugram District, the GPA in relation to the property  was registered in Kalkaji, New Delhi. It raises some suspicion regarding the genuineness of the  GPA. There is, thus, overwhelming and clear cut prima facie evidence to indicate that the version of events  provided by Respondent No. 2, the buyers of the property, and the Sub Registrar, should be viewed with scepticism. These parties, prima facie, Crl. A. No.___ of 2023 @ SLP (CRL.) D. NO. 20936 OF 2022              Page 24 of 32 appear to be acting in concert with each other and might be hands in glove, with the ulterior motive of duping   the   absentee   land­owners.   This   angle requires thorough consideration by the investigating authorities.   The   Appellants   have   seemingly   fallen prey to a well­orchestrated conspiracy hatched to rob them of their highly valuable property. In such cases where the victims of a crime, on account of their old age and geographical distance, are unable to secure justice on their own, it falls upon Courts and the State to carry out their solemn duty   to ward off injustice and restore the faith of one and all in the rule of law. 24. All these material facts which go to the root of the matter were unfortunately not brought to the notice of the High Court.   Had there been proper assistance, the High Court also would have given a Crl. A. No.___ of 2023 @ SLP (CRL.) D. NO. 20936 OF 2022              Page 25 of 32 free hand to the investigating agency to investigate the role of Respondent No. 2, the vendees, the Sub Registrar   and   other   officials   of   the   Registering Authority,   so   as   to   uncover   the   collusion, connivance   and   conspiracy,   if   any,   engineered   to commit fraud at the expense of the Appellants. 25. Land scams in India have been a persistent issue,   involving   fraudulent   practices   and   illegal activities related to land acquisition, ownership, and transactions. Scammers often create fake land titles, forge sale deeds, or manipulate land records to show false   ownership   or   an   encumbrance­free   status. Organized criminal networks often plan and execute these   intricate   scams,   exploiting   vulnerable individuals   and   communities,   and   resorting   to intimidation or threats to force them to vacate their properties.   These   land   scams   not   only   result   in Crl. A. No.___ of 2023 @ SLP (CRL.) D. NO. 20936 OF 2022              Page 26 of 32 financial   losses   for   individuals   and   investors   but also   disrupt   development   projects,   erode   public trust, and hinder socio­economic progress. While we do not wish to comment further on 26. this issue, we believe it is necessary to  foil any trace of     organised   crime   perpetrated   by   land   mafia, through   an   unimpaired   and   unobstructed investigation. It  is   inarguable   that  the   cancellation  of   bail 27. should be done only for substantial and compelling reasons, however, setting aside an erroneous bail order   is   altogether   different   from   cancelling   bail. This   Court   does   not   intend   to   interfere   with   the judicial discretion exercised by the High Court in granting bail to an accused as a standard practice. However,   it   is   essential   to   ensure   that   all   the material facts are brought on record and thereafter Crl. A. No.___ of 2023 @ SLP (CRL.) D. NO. 20936 OF 2022              Page 27 of 32 only   the   discretionary   jurisdiction   is   exercised   in accordance   with   the   fundamental   principles   of anticipatory bail laid down in various decisions over time by this Court. It is   immaterial  that  the   genuineness  of   the 28. 1996   GPA   is   already   sub­judice   before   the   Civil Court in the civil suits pending between the parties. The appellants, owing to their age and residential status, cannot be expected to await indefinitely for the outcome of these civil proceedings. Regardless, the   pendency   of   these   cases   does   not   estop   the issues of forgery and fabrication being considered in the course of criminal investigation. The facts of the case   speak   for   themselves   and   an   element   of criminality   cannot   be   ruled   out   at   this   stage. Whether or not the alleged offences were committed by Respondent No. 2 and his co­accused in active Crl. A. No.___ of 2023 @ SLP (CRL.) D. NO. 20936 OF 2022              Page 28 of 32 collusion   with   each   other   can   be   effectively determined   by     a   free,   fair,   unhampered   and dispassionate   investigation.   In   the   peculiar   facts and   circumstances   of   this   case,   custodial interrogation of not only Respondent No. 2 but all other suspects is, therefore, imperative to unearth the truth. Joining the investigation with a protective umbrella provided by pre­arrest bail will render the exercise of eliciting the truth ineffective in such like case.     We   are,   as   mentioned,   also   skeptical, suspicious   and   incredulous   about   the   verification process of the 1996 GPA carried out by the Sub­ Registrar, Kalkaji, New Delhi. Hence, the conduct of the   officials   of   Sub­Registrar   Office,   Kalkaji,   New Delhi is also required to be examined to take the investigation to its logical conclusion. Crl. A. No.___ of 2023 @ SLP (CRL.) D. NO. 20936 OF 2022              Page 29 of 32 29. It   is   clarified   that   the   observations   made hereinabove are prima facie in nature and shall not be taken as final conclusions. D. CONCLUSION In   light   of   above   discussion   and   without 30. expressing any views on the merits of the case, the st appeal is allowed and the impugned order dated 31 May,   2022   passed   by   the   High   Court   granting pre­arrest bail to Respondent No. 2 is hereby set aside. Given the facts and circumstances of this case, 31. we expand the scope of inquiry in these proceedings and direct the Commissioner of Police, Gurugram to constitute a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to be headed   by   an   officer   not   below   the   rank   of   Dy. Superintendent of Police along with two Inspectors as   its   members.   The   SIT   shall   take   over   the Crl. A. No.___ of 2023 @ SLP (CRL.) D. NO. 20936 OF 2022              Page 30 of 32 investigation   forthwith.   The   SIT   shall   have   the liberty to subject Respondent No. 2, the vendee(s), the   Sub   Registrar/officials,   or   other   suspects   to custodial   interrogation   to   arrive   at   a   definite conclusion, strictly in accordance with law. 32. In case the vendees, the officers/officials of the Registering Authority have secured anticipatory bail from Sessions Court/High Court, the SIT shall be at liberty to seek suitable modifications to such orders so that no impediment is caused in carrying out a fair and free investigation. 33. No interlocutory/interim order passed by the Civil Court shall obstruct the ongoing investigation. The Civil Court shall not, from this point forth, pass any such order in pending civil suits which may hamper the ongoing investigation. Crl. A. No.___ of 2023 @ SLP (CRL.) D. NO. 20936 OF 2022              Page 31 of 32 34. The   SIT   shall   conclude   the   investigation   as early   as   possible   and   not   later   than  two   months from the date of this order. 35. The Commissioner of Police, Gurugram shall be personally responsible for  monitoring the day to day investigation. The authorities of NCT of Delhi shall extend 36. full cooperation in the matter of verification of the genuineness   of   the   GPA   alleged   to   have   been registered in the office of Sub Registrar, Kalkaji, New Delhi in the year 1996. …………………………..J.      [Surya Kant] …………………………..J.        [C.T. Ravikumar] New Delhi; July 07, 2023 Crl. A. No.___ of 2023 @ SLP (CRL.) D. NO. 20936 OF 2022              Page 32 of 32