In a recent development, Justice Vinod Chatterji of the Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh High Court has granted bail to Dr. Shashi Sudan, the former Principal of Government Medical College (GMC) Jammu, in an alleged date of birth forgery case registered by the Crime Branch.
The court observed that there was no prima facie case of forgery against Dr. Shashi Sudan, as her date of birth certificate had been corrected by the Jammu and Kashmir Board of School Education through due legal process. Additionally, most of the relevant documents related to the investigation were already seized by the Investigating Agency.
Considering the petitioner’s cooperation with the investigation and her government service, the court stated that there was no likelihood of her absconding from trial. As a result, the court found it unnecessary for the petitioner to undergo custodial investigation.
The bail application was filed under section 438 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC), and the court found that the petitioner had made a compelling case for bail. Consequently, the interim bail granted to Dr. Shashi Sudan on 12th July 2023 was made absolute, subject to the conditions set forth in the previous order.
The court also noted that the petitioner had already complied with an earlier order and had cooperated with the investigating agency during the investigation. All relevant documents had been duly collected by the investigating officer.
The case has attracted considerable attention due to the involvement of a prominent figure in the medical community. With the grant of bail, Dr. Shashi Sudan will be able to pursue her defense outside of custody, pending further legal proceedings.
As the legal process continues, it remains crucial for all parties involved to adhere to the legal framework and cooperate with the ongoing investigation. The court’s decision reflects its consideration of the facts presented and its commitment to upholding the principles of justice in the case.
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