Ruled in favour of Pratap Fauzdar Singh And Anr (Petitioners)
In Short
This case involved a bitter family property dispute between three brothers over an ancestral plot and a flour mill in Mumbai. One brother accused the others of forging his signatures on property release documents, but the police investigation and handwriting experts found no wrongdoing and recommended closing the case.
The Parties
Party A: Pratap Fauzdar Singh and Santosh Fauzdar Singh
Party B: Vinod Fauzdar Singh and The State of Maharashtra
Advocates & Judges
For Party A: Learned Advocate Ms. Mrunmai Kulkarni, Learned Advocate Mr. Rohit Vaishya
For Party B: Learned Advocate Mr. Ashutosh V. Singh, Learned Advocate Ms. Manisha Tidkde
Judge(s): Hon'ble Justice Ranjitsinh Raja Bhonsale
What the Case Was About
Three brothers fought over an ancestral property and business after their father passed away. One brother claimed the other two brothers created fake documents like a power of attorney and a release deed to steal his share of the property. The police investigated the matter, sent the documents to a handwriting expert, and concluded that the claims were false, filing a report to close the case. However, the legal battle continued through various courts regarding whether the criminal case should stay closed or be reopened.
Judgment Date
5 October, 2026
The Outcome
The court ruled in favour of the petitioners, setting aside the sessions court order that had interfered with the closure of the case.
What the Court Looked At
- The police conducted a full investigation and submitted a closure report after finding no substance in the allegations.
- A handwriting expert examined the signatures and confirmed they matched the complaining brother's handwriting.
- The magistrate initially accepted the police closure report and dismissed the private complaint.
- The sessions court later set aside that dismissal and wrongly imposed costs on the petitioners who were respondents in that revision.
- The high court noted that the revisional court overstepped its legal boundaries by re-appreciating evidence like an appeals court.
"The Revisional Court had to only test the legality and propriety of the Order and not re-appreciate the entire evidence and come to a different conclusion."
What This Means For You
When a family property dispute turns into a criminal complaint alleging forgery, the actual evidence gathered by police and handwriting experts carries heavy weight. If an official investigation clears you and shows that documents match genuine signatures, courts are reluctant to let criminal proceedings drag on unnecessarily over what is fundamentally a civil family argument. Navigating conflicting court orders and police reports can feel overwhelming, but Setback Solutions is here to help you understand your options and coordinate your next steps clearly and calmly.
You Still Have Options
If you are currently facing a false FIR or tangled in a complicated family property dispute that has taken a criminal turn, it can feel like you are out of options and out of money. You do not have to navigate these confusing court battles alone, and it is never too late to get a second opinion or explore non-judicial guidance. Reach out to Setback Solutions for help understanding your choices and coordinating your next steps. (Please note: Setback Solutions is not a law firm, does not provide legal advice, and never guarantees specific legal outcomes.)