HC modifies order, cops can probe aide

A day after granting anticipatory bail to Kolkata-based businessman Kashinath Tapuriah in a 2008 alleged fake passport case registered against Pune businessman Hasan Ali Khan in the city, the Bombay high court revised its order and allowed the Worli police to interrogate him.

A day after granting anticipatory bail to Kolkata-based businessman Kashinath Tapuriah in a 2008 alleged fake passport case registered against Pune businessman Hasan Ali Khan in the city, the Bombay high court revised its order and allowed the Worli police to interrogate him. The court also allowed the police to interrogate the duo together.

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Justice Abhay Thipsay modified his order and kept the application for final hearing on June 28.On Monday, the court had granted anticipatory bail to Tapuriah, stating that it was "absurd" to seek his custody three years after the FIR was registered. Also, the passports in question were obtained in 1998. The court had said even Khan should be discharged as the police failed to seize the alleged forged passports.

Additional public prosecutor KV Saste informed the court on Tuesday that the Enforcement Directorate (ED) had informed them about Khan's statement wherein he had mentioned Tapuriah's role in acquiring the forged documents.

"The police had recorded the Pune businessman's statement on June 5 this year. There he said the same thing," said Saste.

According to the police, Khan in his statement told them that Tapuriah had arranged the forged documents in 1998 and also for the passport renewal in 1999.

A fax was sent from Tapuriah's firm - Universal Cable - to one Kirti Kedia, who had collected the passport.

The court on Tuesday asked the police to file an application before the special court seeking permission to interrogate Tapuriah and confront the duo. Also, jail authorities were asked to extend necessary facilities required by the Worli police.