Seeking the custody of the notary and the lawyer, the police alleged that they prepared 16 false affidavits between 2005 and 2007 for Panchal. While the notary certified the documents as true, the lawyer identified Panchal and his clients who wanted to get their affidavits prepared which would later be used for getting passports, the police said in their reply to the anticipatory bail application.

Panchal furnished false names for affidavits, the police said in their reply dated January 11.

Principal Judge Ashok Bhangale on Wednesday ordered the notary and the lawyer to surrender on or before January 25 before the Esplanade magistrate court.

Typist and clerk of the lawyer has also applied for anticipatory bail after the police questioned him. However, Chief Public Prosecutor R V Kini told the court that the police are not interested in arresting him. Instead they wanted to make him a witness in the case as he was responsible for delivering documents to the notary and clients, Kini said.

The notary and the lawyer, through their lawyer, argued, “Since the incident was spread over two years, it is not possible for them to remember Panchal’s face.” Their application also states that they “have been practising since 1964” and “not a single such incident has come to light against them”.

They argued that it was “at the most a case of professional negligence”.

Chief Public Prosecutor R V Kini argued, “Panchal appeared before them using different. Why did he choose the same notary and lawyer?”

The notary and the lawyer argued that they suffered from heart disease, hypertension and diabetes.

Their anticipatory bail applications also argued that their statements had been taken on January 7- 8-9 and their custody was not required.

The notary and the lawyer have been booked for forgery and various sections of the Indian Penal Code and Passport Act.

On November 26, the Crime Branch had busted an immigration racket by arresting Panchal, 42. Nine people, including two constables from the Byculla police station and two postmen from Mazgaon post office, have been arrested in connection with the case so far.