Pune, Dec 24 (IANS): In a big swoop, the Pune Police bust a major racket involving 'fake sureties' whereby accused-undertrials managed to furnish surety and secure bail in different cases, officials said here on Thursday.
A total 37 persons, including six women have been arrested in the operation directed by Pune Police Commissioner Amitabh Gupta.
"This is a huge racket that has been bared. They have been operating for a long time. Our further investigations are on in the matter," Gupta told mediapersons.
As per the preliminary investigations, these persons may have posed as 'fake surety' and helped over 25,000 accused-undertrials secure bail from the different courts.
The arrested gang mostly operated in the District Court or the Judicial Magistrate First Class Courts which handle the bulk of the bail pleas.
Following a tip-off a fortnight ago about half a dozen such gangs operating outside courts, the Pune Police swung into action and formed special squads.
After laying several traps, the police succeeded in nabbing the accused who were produced before the court and sent to the police custody till December 26, Gupta said.
They were charging the accused-undertrials between Rs 12,000-Rs 20,000 to stand as 'surety', provided fake documents to the courts and helped the accused-undertrials secure bail.
They provided fake documents like Aadhaar, PAN, Ration cards, property documents, residence bills, photographs, etc., to prove their credentials and help the accused-undertrials get bail.
Initial investigations point at many persons arrested or undergoing trial in cases of robberies, burglaries, sexual offences, cheating, frauds, and other offences, managed to walk out on bail with the help of such 'fake sureties'.
The probe will also go into the possible involvement of some unscrupulous lawyers or court staffers in the racket.
This is the second big racket busted in the past one year after a similar one was exposed and booked 10 persons in October 2019.
Ironically, some of those involved in the 2019 case, resumed their 'fake surety' business after they were released on bail.