Bombay High Court Flags ‘Casual’ Probe Into Alleged Forged Court Orders, Directs Further Investigation

The Bombay High Court has expressed serious concern over the manner in which Mumbai Police investigated allegations involving fabricated judicial orders allegedly supplied by an advocate to his client, observing that the investigation appeared to have been conducted in a “casual manner.”

Justice R. M. Joshi made the observations while hearing the bail application of advocate Vinaykumar Ashok Khatu, who faces allegations of providing forged High Court and other official orders to the complainant, his former client. The Court noted that there was prima facie material suggesting the disputed orders were bogus documents. Despite the seriousness of allegations concerning forged court records, the investigating officer could not explain who had actually prepared or fabricated the documents.

The Bench observed that the investigation ought to have been carried out with greater seriousness, especially since the matter involved alleged fabrication of orders of the High Court itself. The Court further remarked that there appeared to be “reason to believe” that the probe was conducted “in predetermined manner and in one direction only.”

During the hearing, the defence relied upon WhatsApp chats exchanged between the accused and the complainant after the alleged forged orders were handed over. According to the defence, the conversations indicated that proceedings before the High Court were still being discussed, thereby supporting the claim of false implication.

Justice Joshi noted that although the investigating agency was aware of these chats and had included them in the charge sheet, it failed to properly investigate that material or thoroughly examine the seized mobile phone before returning it.

Finding the investigation incomplete, the Court directed the Senior Police Inspector of Azad Maidan Police Station to conduct further investigation, particularly regarding the WhatsApp records, and submit a report before the next hearing scheduled in June 2026.