AHMEDABAD: A sessions court denied bail to 67-year-old Dashrath Patel, owner of Popular Builders, concerning a 2022 land fraud case. Currently imprisoned at Sabarmati Central Jail, Patel is accused of conspiring to forge land records for a sale deed from 1983 in Godhavi village.
Patel’s legal representative contended that the issue is primarily civil and pointed out that the FIR was lodged almost 39 years after the alleged event without sufficient justification. He also mentioned that all evidence is documentary, with no forged documents featuring Patel’s signature or handwriting. His age, health conditions, cooperation with investigators, and the fact that his brother, Raman Patel, a co-accused, had been granted bail were also highlighted.
The state government opposed the bail request, claiming that Patel and others fabricated a fictitious heir, Saryudas Satrudhandasji, to facilitate a fraudulent mutation entry in 1982 and executed a sale deed on August 25, 1983, for land Survey No. 976/2 in Godhavi village. It was stated that the original sale deed remains missing, likely concealed or destroyed. The prosecution also cited Patel’s previous legal issues, alleged threats made to the complainant through family, and his attempts to evade authorities.
Following the hearing, Principal District Judge K M Sojitra remarked, “Considering the seriousness of the offense, the applicant’s role, prior conduct, and the ongoing investigation, the court does not find it appropriate to exercise discretion in favor of the applicant.”
