A court in Mumbai has granted bail to Lieutenant Commander Vipin Dagar, an officer of the Indian Navy, who was arrested in connection with a visa fraud case. The decision, made by Additional Sessions Judge V M Pathade on November 25, noted that Dagar has been in detention since June 2023 and that the trial has yet to begin.
The allegations against Dagar include possessing 14 Indian passports under different names, a stamp machine, and 108 rubber stamps associated with various establishments. Prosecutors claim that he utilized a rubber sheet to forge documents necessary for obtaining passports and visas for his co-accused. Furthermore, it was alleged that Dagar entered the Korean Embassy wearing his naval uniform, where he purportedly attempted to exert pressure on an embassy officer and behaved inappropriately—actions deemed unbecoming of a public servant.
The prosecution contended that the evidence gathered by the investigating agency indicated Dagar’s active participation in the alleged criminal activities. Despite these claims, Dagar’s attorney, Sunil Pandey, argued for his client’s innocence, asserting that Dagar had been wrongfully implicated and was a victim of circumstances. He pointed out that the grounds for arrest were not provided by the police at the time Dagar was taken into custody.
Dagar’s defense also referenced several landmark Supreme Court judgments to strengthen their case for bail, emphasizing that there was no prima facie evidence linking Dagar to any financial benefit from the alleged crime.
In its ruling, the court acknowledged that while a chargesheet had been submitted against Dagar and the co-accused, the prolonged detention—over four months without the trial commencing—was a significant factor in its decision. The court emphasized that, in light of Supreme Court precedents, Dagar was entitled to bail, subject to appropriate conditions.
Overall, this case continues to attract attention as the investigation unfolds and the judicial process progresses.
