Pradeep Bhalchandra Lotankar v. State Of Maharashtra

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY

CRIMINAL APPELLATE JURISDICTION ANTICIPATORY BAIL APPLICATION NO. 3149 OF 2025 Pradeep B. Lotankar ...Applicant V/s.

The State of Maharashtra

...Respondent.

..............

Mr. Milind Ingole a/w. Ms Aishwary Gaikwad for the Applicant. Mr. V.N. Sagare, APP for the Respondent/State. API Mundhe (IO), Malad Police Station is present. ..............

CORAM

:

N.R. BORKAR, J.

DATE :

18.11.2025.

P.C. :

1.

This is an application for anticipatory bail. 2.

The applicant is apprehending his arrest in Crime No. 647 of 2024 registered at Malad Police Station for the offences punishable under Sections 406, 417, 419 and 420 read with 34 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).

3.

The applicant is accused No.2 in the aforesaid crime. It is the case of the prosecution that in the month of December 2023, the first informant was planning a trip with her family to Manali. Accordingly, she contacted the accused No.1 who gave her a quotation of Rs.1,87,000/- for the said trip. The first informant transferred an amount of Rs.1,35,000/- to the applicant and coaccused as advance for booking the flight tickets and hotel room. Subsequently, the accused No.1 failed to make arrangements for the said trip and the first informant was compelled to spend an 1/3

excessive amount of Rs.4,09,045/- for the said trip. The allegations against the present applicant and other co-accused are of defrauding the first informant to the tune of Rs.1,35,000/- and preparing forged flight and hotel booking receipts 4.

I have heard the learned counsel appearing for the applicant and the learned APP for the respondent / State. 5.

Learned counsel for the applicant submits that the applicant has nothing to do with the alleged crime. It is submitted that the alleged transaction was between the son of the applicant and the first informant. It is submitted that there is no need of custodial interrogation of the applicant as nothing is to be recovered at his instance. It is submitted that there are no other criminal antecedents.

6.

On the other hand, learned APP for the respondent/State submits that out of defrauded amount the amount of Rs.1,10,000/- was deposited in the bank account of present applicant. It is submitted that considering the nature of crime, the applicant may not be released on anticipatory bail.

7.

Learned counsel for the applicant submits that the applicant, without prejudice to his rights and contention, is ready and willing to deposit amount of Rs.1,10,000/- with the registry of this Court. 2/3

8.

I have perused the first information report (FIR). The main allegations are against the son of the present applicant. 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.

ORDER

A) The Application is allowed.

B) In the event of arrest of the applicant in C.R. No. 647 of 2024 registered at Malad Police Station for the offences punishable under Sections 406, 417, 419 and 420 read with 34 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), he be released on bail on executing P.R. Bond in the sum of Rs.25,000/- with one surety or two sureties in the like amount.

C) The applicant shall attend the concerned police station as and when called by the Investigating Officer and shall cooperate in the investigation.

D) The Applicant shall deposit Rs.1,10,000/- with the Registry of this Court, within a period of 8 weeks from today. 8.

The Application is disposed of in the aforesaid terms. [N.R.BORKAR, J.] 3/3