A Ghaziabad court has denied bail to Harshvardhan Jain, who was arrested in July for allegedly running a fake embassy from his Kavi Nagar residence while claiming to represent several unrecognised micronations.
Additional Sessions Judge Saurabh Goyal rejected Jain’s bail plea, observing that he posed a potential flight risk. The court noted that the accused had prima facie violated provisions of the Press Act, Income Tax Act, and Passport Act. Jain, 49, also faces charges of forgery, impersonation, and cheating under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
The court cited sufficient witness statements and video recordings of recoveries from Jain’s premises. “When the applicant has been found dealing in forged passports and documents, there is an apprehension that if released on bail, he can try to escape from the country. Given the seriousness of the charges and activities which can impact the socio-economic sovereignty of the country, at this juncture, bail cannot be granted,” the judge said.
According to the police, Jain portrayed himself as a diplomat representing micronations such as Westarctica, Ladonia, and Seborga. Cars with fake diplomatic number plates inscribed with “Honorary Consul Baron Westarctica” and “Honorary Consigliere Principato Di Seborga” were found parked at his residence.
Investigators recovered 13 passports from him — including seven from Seborga and five from an entity called the International Commission on Diplomacy. He also carried five diplomatic cards, two press cards from an organisation named Rashtra Chhaya, 34 seals of different micronations, and 20 “CD series” diplomatic car number plates. Police said the seizure included two Mercedes and two Hyundai Sonata vehicles.
Jain’s counsel argued that his client was innocent and framed by police, claiming he travels internationally for religious purposes. “He is suffering from various ailments and the money shown to be recovered from his possession belongs to his relatives, which is required for his international travels,” the defence said. The counsel added that expensive watches seized from Jain were gifts and that none of the vehicles were registered in his name.
Government counsel Rajesh Sharma opposed the bail plea, stating that the recovery process was properly videographed. “Several passports, two PAN cards, two press cards, and 34 seals of various micronations not recognised by India itself indicate the gravity of the offence. Moreover, Jain has a criminal background as another case was registered with Kavi Nagar police in 2012 when an illegal satellite phone was recovered from his possession,” Sharma said.
The prosecution informed the court that the charge sheet has been filed and a forensic report is awaited. Authorities argued that releasing Jain at this stage could hamper the ongoing investigation and affect evidence collection.
(With TOI inputs)
Additional Sessions Judge Saurabh Goyal rejected Jain’s bail plea, observing that he posed a potential flight risk. The court noted that the accused had prima facie violated provisions of the Press Act, Income Tax Act, and Passport Act. Jain, 49, also faces charges of forgery, impersonation, and cheating under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
The court cited sufficient witness statements and video recordings of recoveries from Jain’s premises. “When the applicant has been found dealing in forged passports and documents, there is an apprehension that if released on bail, he can try to escape from the country. Given the seriousness of the charges and activities which can impact the socio-economic sovereignty of the country, at this juncture, bail cannot be granted,” the judge said.
According to the police, Jain portrayed himself as a diplomat representing micronations such as Westarctica, Ladonia, and Seborga. Cars with fake diplomatic number plates inscribed with “Honorary Consul Baron Westarctica” and “Honorary Consigliere Principato Di Seborga” were found parked at his residence.
Investigators recovered 13 passports from him — including seven from Seborga and five from an entity called the International Commission on Diplomacy. He also carried five diplomatic cards, two press cards from an organisation named Rashtra Chhaya, 34 seals of different micronations, and 20 “CD series” diplomatic car number plates. Police said the seizure included two Mercedes and two Hyundai Sonata vehicles.
Jain’s counsel argued that his client was innocent and framed by police, claiming he travels internationally for religious purposes. “He is suffering from various ailments and the money shown to be recovered from his possession belongs to his relatives, which is required for his international travels,” the defence said. The counsel added that expensive watches seized from Jain were gifts and that none of the vehicles were registered in his name.
Government counsel Rajesh Sharma opposed the bail plea, stating that the recovery process was properly videographed. “Several passports, two PAN cards, two press cards, and 34 seals of various micronations not recognised by India itself indicate the gravity of the offence. Moreover, Jain has a criminal background as another case was registered with Kavi Nagar police in 2012 when an illegal satellite phone was recovered from his possession,” Sharma said.
The prosecution informed the court that the charge sheet has been filed and a forensic report is awaited. Authorities argued that releasing Jain at this stage could hamper the ongoing investigation and affect evidence collection.
(With TOI inputs)
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