Sonia Pal v. State Of Maharashtra

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY

CRIMINAL APPELLATE JURISDICTION ANTICIPATORY BAIL APPLICATION NO.375 OF 2025 Mrs. Sonia Pal ...Applicant

Versus

The State of Maharashtra & Anr.

...Respondents

Dr. Uday Warunjikar (through VC) a/w Mr. Akshay Bhalerao, Ms. Sonali Chavan, Ms. Aishwarya Tawar, for Applicant. Ms. S.K. Gajare, APP for the State.

Mr. Milind Thokal (through VC) a/w Mr. Harshwardhan Karande, i/by Mr. Shashikant Sansare for Respondent No.2- Original Informant.

CORAM:

MADHAV J. JAMDAR, J.

DATED :

17th November 2025 P.C.:

1.

Heard Dr. Warunjikar, learned Counsel appearing for the Applicant, Ms. Gajare, learned APP for the State and Mr. Thokal, learned Counsel for the Respondent No.2- the First Informant. 2.

This Application is filed under Section 438 of Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 seeking pre-arrest bail in connection with C.R. No. 624 of 2024 registered with Vimantal Police Station, Pune, for the offences punishable under Sections 406, 420 read with Section 34 of the Indian Penal Code.

3.

The case of the prosecution is that the First Informant has invested an amount of Rs.40,50,000/- in a trading Company, of the Applicant namely Intrafx Finserv Private Limited, with assurance of good returns. As per the prosecution case for the period from 11th November 2022 till 23rd June 2023 the interest was paid from time to time and aggregate amount paid towards interest is Rs.18,10,000/-.

4.

It is the submission of Dr. Warunjikar, learned Counsel for the Applicant that the dispute, if any, is of civil nature. The substantial amount has been paid. He submits that the Chargesheet is already filed. There are no antecedents and therefore the Anticipatory Bail Application be granted.

5.

On the other hand, learned APP strongly opposes the Application. She submits that the offence is very serious and the First Informant and other two have invested huge amounts and therefore custodial interrogation is necessary. 6.

Mr. Milind Thokal, learned Counsel appearing for the Intervenor submits that the huge amount of Rs.48,50,000/- has been invested by the First Informant and two persons and the

interest of Rs.18,10,000/- has been paid within a span of about 8 months. He states that huge interest was assured and the same has not been paid and therefore custodial interrogation is necessary. 7.

Perusal of record shows that the Charge-sheet is filed and therefore the investigation is completed. There are no antecedents. 8.

Although it is the contention of Dr. Warunjikar, learned Counsel for the Applicant that the dispute, if any, is of the civil nature, prima facie, the Applicant is involved in the criminal offence. However, as the investigation is completed and the Charge-sheet is filed, in the facts and circumstances, custodial interrogation is not necessary.

9.

Accordingly, by imposing conditions, the Applicant can be granted pre-arrest bail. Hence, following Order is passed:

O R D E R

(i) In the event of arrest, the Applicant - Mrs. Sonia Pal be released on bail in C.R.No. 624 of 2024 registered with Vimantal Police Station, Pune, on executing P.R. bond of Rs.1,00,000/- and furnishing one or two solvent sureties in the like amount.

(ii) The Applicant shall attend the concerned Police Station once in 15 days i.e. first and third Sunday between 11.00 a.m. to 2.00 p.m. and thereafter as and when called by the Police and shall co-operate with the investigation.

(iii) The Applicant shall furnish her cell phone number and residential address to the Investigating Officer and shall keep the same updated, in case of any change thereto.

(iv) The Applicant shall not directly or indirectly make any inducement, threat, or promise to any person acquainted with the facts of the case so as to dissuade such a person from disclosing the facts to the Court or to any Police personnel.

(v) The Applicant shall not tamper with the prosecution evidence and shall not contact or influence the Complainant, or any witness, in any manner.

10.

The Anticipatory Bail Application is allowed and disposed of accordingly.

BHALCHANDRA GOPAL DUSANE (MADHAV J. JAMDAR, J.) BHALCHANDRA GOPAL DUSANE Date: 2025.11.17 19:30:46 +0530