MUMBAI: The effects of demonetisation are even being felt inside jails. Last week, Thane sessions court granted builder Suresh Bijlani, a murder accused, three days to visit his home and various banks over his plea to deposit demonetised notes and manage his finances before the December-end deadlineBijlani said he also wanted to sign income-tax returns-related documents. Though the court did not allow him bail, he was granted permission to visit his residence and banks for three working days with police escort to complete the formalities. While granting the permission, the court warned jail authorities to take extra police protection.
“Bijlani is allowed to visit his house and Saraswat Bank’s Vashi branch and HSBC’s Kurla and Chembur branches during three working days—December 20, 21 and 22—during bank office time and under necessary and required police squad. Police should immediately produce him back in jail after bank hours. The applicant shall bear the cost of the police squad as required and he shall maintain peace in society during his visit and shall not commit any other offence and neither should he tamper with witnesses. The copy of the order should also be given to the concerned police and jail authorities,” stated the order of A S Bhaisare, additional sessions judge.
Last week, Bijlani had moved an application seeking bail on the grounds that he wanted to visit various banks to deposit old notes in Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 denomination and complete the know-your-customer (KYC) formalities.
Last week, Bijlani had moved an application seeking bail on the grounds that he wanted to visit various banks to deposit old notes in Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 denomination and complete the know-your-customer (KYC) formalities.
Bijlani, an accused in the murder of Navi Mumbai builder Sunil Lahoria, has been in jail since 2014 and has sought bail on several occasions. In 2015, the Supreme Court barred him from applying for bail in any court for a certain period. Last year, the Thane sessions court had granted him 13 days’ bail to conduct the last rites of his father, Chellaram Bijlani, after his death.