Bail refused in customs-duty evasion probe over alleged misdeclaration of super bikes, forged documents, and risk to investigation.

Bail was refused in a customs-duty evasion investigation alleging a coordinated scheme to import disassembled super bikes as spare parts using forged bills of entry and supporting documents. The Court treated the recovery of connected import records, statements linking the applicant to the imports and payments, and the risk of witness influence or evidence tampering as significant at the incomplete-investigation stage. It held that the alleged gravity of the offence could not be lightly discounted and that release at that point could hamper the investigation. The application was therefore rejected.

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Issues: Whether the applicant was entitled to bail in a customs-duty evasion investigation involving alleged import of super bikes by declaring them as spare parts, and whether release at that stage would hamper the investigation.

Analysis: The allegations disclosed a coordinated racket of importing disassembled super bikes, mis-declaring them as spare parts, and using forged bills of entry and documents for registration. The record indicated recovery of connected import documents, statements linking the applicant to the imports and payments, and an apprehension that release could enable influence over witnesses and interference with evidence. Though the applicant relied on the stage of investigation and the fact that some co-accused had been released, the Court found that the investigation was still incomplete and that the gravity of the alleged offence could not be lightly assessed at that stage.

Outcome: Bail was refused and the application was rejected.

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