Sou. Lata Ridhir Jadhao v. The State Of Maharashtra, Thr. Pso, Ps, Khandala, Dist. Yavatmal

2025:BHC-NAG:8647

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY

NAGPUR BENCH : NAGPUR CRIMINAL APPLICATION (BA) NO. 660 OF 2025 Sou Lata Ridhir Jadhao Vs State of Maharashtra Office Notes, Office Memoranda of Court's or Judge's Order Coram, appearances, Court's Orders or directions and Registrar's order Mr. V.S. Gokhale counsel with Mr P.P. Sarise, counsel for applicant. Mr. A.J. Gohokar, APP for non-applicant/State. CORAM : URMILA JOSHI-PHALKE, J.

DATED : 26 /08/2025.

1.

The present application is preferred by the applicant in connection with Crime No. 136 of 2025 registered at Police Station Khandala, District Yavatmal for the offence punishable under Sections 420, 467, 468, 470, 472, 506 read with Section 34 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860.

2.

The crime was registered on the basis of a report lodged by the informant -Ankush, who is an educated unemployed man searching for a job. On 24/11/2023, he went to his cousin Rameshwar Rathod, a resident of Pusad, where his relatives Sandip and Tulshiram and friend Nilesh were present. They informed the applicant that one person by the name of Ridhir and his wife Lata, i.e., the present applicant, were their friends. It was conveyed that Ridhir, being a driver to a minister, could facilitate employment in the Railway Department. Subsequently, Ridhir was contacted via

mobile phone and met with the informant along with his wife, Lata. During the meeting, Ridhir confirmed that he was indeed the minister's driver and assured the informant that he could secure a job in the Railways, provided a payment of Rs. 13 Lakhs was made. It was further stated that half of the amount was to be paid in advance, and the remaining balance upon receipt of the joining letter. In this backdrop, the applicant's cousin, Rameshwar, paid Rs. 3 Lakhs to the accused, Sandeep, and the accused, Nilesh. Thereafter, accused Sandeep transferred the amount to the present applicant and her husband, Ridhir. As far as the allegation, the present applicant has received the amount of Rs. 60,000/- in her account from one Shivraj. On the basis of a said report, police have registered the crime against the present applicant. 3.

The learned counsel for the applicant submitted that, except the receipt of the amount in her account to the extent of Rs. 60,000/-, there is no other material to connect the present applicant in the alleged offence. She is implicated merely because she is the wife of the co-accused. As far as her participation in the said act, except the inducement, there is no other allegation levelled against her. Now, the investigation is already completed, charge-sheet is already filed, and the allegation as to the issuance of the forged joining

order is against the other co-accused, in view of that, she be released on bail.

4.

Learned APP strongly opposed the said application and submitted that during investigation, it revealed that the present applicant and the other co-accused with common intention, induced the informant and other persons by taking disadvantage of their unemployment, and obtained the money from them. The applicant has also purchased the properties for the said amount. Thus, there is a prima-facie material against the present applicant in the alleged offence. Moreover, some of the coaccused persons are still absconding. In view of that, the application deserves to be rejected. 5.

On hearing both sides and on perusal of the investigation papers, it reveals that the informant and other prosecution witnesses were induced by saying that the other co-accused, Ridhir, who is the husband of the present applicant, is serving as a driver in the car of the minister's vehicle, and therefore, he can give them a job on paying the amount, and amounts were accepted by the other co-accused. As far as the present applicant is concerned, it is noted that she received an amount of Rs. 60,000/- from one Shivraj Singh, who is a prosecution witness. Whether the said amount was received at the behest of her husband or deposited independently remains a matter of

investigation, which has already been completed. With regard to the alleged property purchase, it is admitted that the transaction in question took place on 21/04/2024, whereas the sale deeds collected by the Investigating Officer pertain to the year 2023. Therefore, the contention of the learned APP that the present applicant purchased properties using the amount received from prosecution witnesses is not substantiated by the record. At this stage, considering that the investigation is completed, the charge-sheet has been filed, and further incarceration of the applicant is not required, the application deserves to be allowed.. Accordingly, I proceed to pass the following order.

ORDER

a] The criminal application is allowed.

b] The applicant- Sou Lata Ridhir Jadhao, shall be released on bail in connection with Crime No. 136 of 2025 registered at Police Station Khandala, District Yavatmal for the offence punishable under Sections 420, 467, 468, 470, 472, 506 read with Section 34 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860, on executing P.R.

Bond of Rs. 50,000/- with one solvent surety in the like amount.

c] The applicant shall attend the proceedings before the trial Court without seeking any exemption unless there are exceptional circumstances.

d] The applicant shall not induce, threat or promise any witnesses who are acquainted with the facts of the case.

Criminal application stands disposed of.

[URMILA JOSHI-PHALKE, J.]