Court clerk in Mumbai arrested for forging judge’s signature on 105 files

On Wednesday, the magistrate realised that his signature was forged on some of the documents. Following which a case was registered with the police and the accused was nabbed.

 The MRA Marg police have arrested a court clerk for forging a judge’s signature on 105 files.

The accused would allegedly charge Rs2,500 to clear each file. (File photo)

According to the police, the accused has been identified as Maruti Shankar Salunkhe, 54. He has been working as a junior clerk with court number 33 of the Ballard Pier Court for over 20 years.

On Wednesday, the magistrate realised that his signature was forged on some of the documents. Following which a case was registered with the police and the accused was nabbed. During the investigation, Salunkhe confessed to the crime and revealed that he had signed on more than 105 files related to India Infoline Finance Co. Limited on behalf of the judge.

An officer from MRA Marg police station requesting anonymity said, “Salunkhe forged the magistrate’s signature on files related to the company and transferred the cases to other courts without the judge’s knowledge.”

The police are investigating the documents with forged signatures. The accused would allegedly charge Rs2,500 to clear each file.

Deputy Commissioner of police Manoj Sharma (Zone 1) confirmed the incident and said, “A case has been registered with the MRA Marg police station. It is a serious offence and we are investigating the case thoroughly.”

Salunkhe has been booked under sections 465 (punishment for forgery), 466 (forgery of record of Court or of public register, etc), 468 (forgery for purpose of cheating), 409 (criminal breach of trust by public servant, or by banker, merchant or agent), 419 (punishment for cheating by personation) and 420 (cheating and dishonestly inducing delivery of property) of the Indian Penal Code. The accused was produced in court and has been remanded to police custody till February 20.