Sneha Amit Ashtekar v. The State Of Maharashtra

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY

CRIMINAL APPELLATE JURISDICTION ANTICIPATORY BAIL APPLICATION NO. 2258 OF 2025 Sneha Amit Ashtekar ...Applicant V/s.

The State of Maharashtra

...Respondent

Mr. Margaret Fernandes, Advocate for the Applicant. Ms. A. A. Deshmukh, APP for the Respondent/State.

CORAM

:

N.R. BORKAR, J.

DATE :

17.11.2025.

P.C. :

1.

This is an application for Anticipatory Bail. 2.

The applicant is apprehending his arrest in Crime No. 35 of 2025 registered at Bazar Peth Police Station, for the offences punishable under Sections 406 & 420 read with 34 of the Indian Penal Code and under Sections 3 and 4 of the Maharashtra Protection of Interest of Depositors Act.

3.

It is the case of the prosecution that from July-2021 to June, 2024, the applicant along with co-accused have induced the first informant and other investors to invest money in their real 1/4

estate business by promising higher returns. The allegations against the applicant and other co-accused are of defrauding the investors to the tune of Rs. 50,32,000/-.

4.

I have heard the learned counsel for the applicant and the learned APP for the respondent-State.

5.

The learned counsel for the applicant submits that the applicant has nothing to do with the alleged crime. It is submitted that the allegations of inducement to invest money are against the husband of the applicant, who is a co-accused in the present crime. It is submitted that there are no other criminal antecedents against the present applicant. It is further submitted that there is no need of custodial interrogation and that the applicant is ready and willing to co-operate in the investigation. The learned counsel for the applicant submits that the applicant, without prejudice to her rights and contentions, is willing to deposit Rs.5,00,000/-. 6.

On the other hand, the learned APP for the respondentState submits that out of the total defrauded amount, Rs.21,35,000/- was transferred to the account of the present 2/4

applicant. It is submitted that considering the nature of crime the applicant may not be released on anticipatory bail. 7.

I have perused the first information report. The main allegations are against the husband of the present applicant. It appears that there is no need of custodial interrogation. There are no other criminal antecedents against the present applicant. Considering the overall facts and circumstances, I am inclined to release the applicant on anticipatory bail. In the result, the following order is passed :

O R D E R

a) The Application is allowed.

b) In the event of arrest of the applicant in connection with Crime No. 35 of 2025 registered at Bazar Peth Police Station, for the offences punishable under Sections 406 & 420 read with 34 of the Indian Penal Code and under Sections 3 and 4 of the Maharashtra Protection of Interest of 3/4

Depositors Act, the applicant be released on bail on furnishing P.R. Bond in the sum of Rs. 25,000/- with one or two sureties in the like amount.

c) The applicant shall deposit the amount of Rs.5,00,000/- with jurisdictional Special Court within a period of six weeks from today.

d) The applicant shall attend the concerned police station as and when called by the investigating officer and shall co-operate in the investigation.

e) The applicant shall deposit her passport with the concerned police station.

[N.R.BORKAR, J.] 4/4