Amod Vasantrao Mhetar v. State Of Maharashtra

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY CRIMINAL APPELLATE JURISDICTION BAIL APPLICATION NO. 2947 OF 2025 Amod Vasantrao Mhetar ..Applicant Vs.

State of Maharashtra ..Respondent _________________________________________________________________ Mr. Niteen Pradhan, Senior Advocate i/by Mr. Vikram V. Tare-Patil a/w Mr. Sachin N. Nangare, Mr. Vivek Prajapati and Shubhada Khot for Applicant.

Smt. R.D. Humane, APP for Respondent-State.

Mr. Kapil Dave for Intervenor in 3356 of 2025 and 3359 of 2025. _________________________________________________________________ CORAM :

SHIVKUMAR DIGE, J.

DATE :

9th APRIL, 2026.

P.C. :

1.

By this Application, the Applicant is seeking regular bail in Crime No. 824 of 2024 registered with Rabodi Police Station, District Thane, for the offences punishable under Sections 318(4), 316(2), 316(5), 351(2), 61, 3(5) of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita ("BNS"), 2023 and under Sections 3 and 4 of the Maharashtra Protection of Interest of Depositors (in Financial Establishments) Act, 1999. ("MPID Act"). 2.

It is the prosecution's case that the Applicant and co-Accused lured the First Informant to invest the amount in Global Digital Crypto Currency ("GDCC Crypto Currency Project") with assurance of handsome returns on it. On the say of the Applicant and co-Accused, First Informant

invested amount of Rs.23,60,000/-, but he did not get amount nor returns on it.

3.

It is the contention of learned Senior Counsel for Applicant that Applicant is behind bar for more than 1 year and 4 months. There is no progress in the trial. Learned counsel further submitted that the First Informant had given no objection to co-Accused to release on bail. The applicant had been released on bail in other crimes of similar nature. Property of the Applicant is seized under the M.P.I.D Act and requested to allow the Application.

4.

It is the contention of learned APP and learned Counsel for First Informant that applicant is habitual offender. Several offences have been registered against the Applicant. Applicant has committed several offences of similar nature. There are specific allegations against the Applicant that he attended the seminars and lured the First Informant and other investors to invest the amount in crypto currency. The amount was transferred in the bank account of the Applicant and thereafter it was transferred in the bank account of co-Accused. If the Applicant is released on bail, he may abscond and requested to reject the Application.

5.

I have heard all learned Counsel. Perused the charge-sheet and documents produced on record. The first informant has given no objection for releasing the co-Accused on bail against whom similar allegations are

levelled like the Applicant. Applicant is behind bar for more than 1 year and 4 months. He has been released on bail in other offences of similar nature. His property is seized under the provisions of MPID Act. It may take time to conclude the trial. I pass following order:

ORDER

(i) The Applicant- Amod Vasantrao Mhetar be released on bail in Crime No. 824 of 2024 registered with Rabodi Police Station, District Thane, on furnishing PR bond of Rs.25,000/- with one or two solvent sureties in the like amount.

(ii) The Applicant shall not tamper with the evidence and/or influence the prosecution witnesses.

(iii) The Trial Court shall decide the case on its own merits and in accordance with law, uninfluenced by the observations made in this order. (iv) The Applicant shall attend the concerned police station, as and when required.

(v) Bail Application is allowed in the aforesaid terms. (SHIVKUMAR DIGE, J.)