Dharmu Assudamal Vanjani v. State Of Maharashtra
Digitally signed by CHITRA SANJAY SONAWANE Date:
2025.06.30 21:04:33 +0530 CHITRA SANJAY SONAWANE
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY
CRIMINAL APPELLATE JURISDICTION Anticipatory Bail Application No.1665 of 2025 Dharmu Assudamal Vanjani Age:75, Occ: Business, Address at: A-7/202, Pleasant Park Yogi Hills, Off Balrajeshwar Road, Near Swapn Nagari, Yogi Hills, Mulund West, Mumbai, Maharashtra.
... Applicant versus The State of Maharashtra (Through Sr Police Inspector Kopari Police Station.) ... Respondent ---- Ms Anita Pandey, h/f Mr Harekrishna Mishra i/by Rajesh Darvesh, for the applicant.
Mr Prashant Jadhav, APP, for the respondent/ State. PSI SK Jadhav, Wagale Estate Police Station, Thane. ---- Coram: R.N. Laddha, J.
Date: 30 June 2025 P.C.:
Heard Ms Anita Pandey, the learned Counsel appearing on behalf of the applicant, and Mr Prashant Jadhav, the learned Additional Public Prosecutor representing the respondent/ State.
2.
By this application, the applicant seeks pre-arrest bail in connection with CR No.392 of 2025, registered at Kopri Police
Station, Thane city, for the offence punishable under Section 135 of the Electricity Act, 2003.
3.
The prosecution alleges that between 4 January 2025 and 6 May 2025, the applicant, who owns the premises of M/s SS Natu Plastic & Metals Private Limited, intentionally tampered with the electricity meter to illegally consume approximately 191860 units of electricity, valued at around Rs. 44,12,094/-. 4.
At the outset, the learned Additional Public Prosecutor representing the respondent/ State, on instructions from the investigating officer present in the Court, submits that the investigation in the present matter has been completed. He further apprises the Court that the charge sheet is in the process of being finalised and will be filed shortly. Additionally, he informs the Court that the prosecution, at this stage, does not intend to seek the applicant's custody.
5.
After perusing the records, it appears that the allegations against the applicant pertain to the purported theft of 191860 units of electricity, valued at Rs.44,12,094/-. The learned APP confirms that the investigation has been concluded and that a charge sheet is expected to be filed shortly. There is nothing to be recovered or discovered from the applicant, and the prosecution does not require the applicant's custody. Moreover,
the learned Counsel for the applicant submits that, to demonstrate bona fides, the applicant has already deposited a sum of Rs.15 lakhs with the Registry of this Court. 6.
In view of these circumstances, this Court is inclined to exercise its discretion in favour of the applicant. Hence, the following order :
ORDER
(i) In the event of the applicant's arrest in connection with CR No.392 of 2025, registered at Kopri Police Station, Thane city, he shall be released on bail upon executing a PR Bond of Rs.25,000/- and furnishing one or more sureties in the like amount.
(ii) The applicant shall attend the concerned Police Station as and when required until the filing of the charge sheet. (iii) The applicant, himself or through any other person, shall not tamper with the evidence or influence witnesses.
7.
The application stands disposed of accordingly. (R.N. Laddha, J.)