Ravindra Balaji Puttewar v. The Central Registrar Of Co-Operative Societies, Ministry Of Cooperation, New Delhi And ORS.
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY
NAGPUR BENCH, NAGPUR.
Criminal Writ Petition No. 811 OF 2025 [Ravindra Balaji Puttewar vs. The Central Registrar of Co-operative Societies, Ministry of Cooperation, New Delhi and ors.] with Criminal Writ Petition No. 16 of 2024 [Nirmal Cooperative Society, through General Manager Sau. Nanda D. Bante vs. State of Maharashtra through its Secretary, Department of Home and ors.] with Criminal Writ Petition No. 1068 of 2019 [Sau. Pranali w/o Ravindra Puttewar and anr. vs. Union of India, through its Secretary, Department of Home and ors.] --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Office Notes, Office Memoranda Court's or Judge's orders of Coram, Appearances, Court's orders or directions and Registrar's orders.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Mr. Z. Z. Haq with Mr. A. P. Chaware, Advocates for the petitioners Mr. S. S. Doifode, APP for respondent nos. 2, 4 and 5 in WP 811/2025, respondent nos. 1 and 2 in WP 16/24 and for respondent nos. 4 to 7, 9 and 10 in WP 1068/19 Ms. N. G. Chaubey, Advocate for respondent no. 1 in WP 811/25 and for respondent no. 3 in WP 16/2024 CORAM : ANIL L. PANSARE AND NIVEDITA P. MEHTA, JJ.
DATE : 05-03-2026.
In continuation to previous order, the status report of investigation is submitted in sealed envelop. The same is opened in the Court.
2.
Perused the report. The report runs into 45 pages. The investigating agency has, till date, recorded statements of 56 witnesses. As per the report, the activities under question inter alia attract provisions under Sections 409, 420, 120-B and 477-A of Indian
Penal Code. The investigation is carried out under following heads, amongst others :
(1) concealment and misrepresentation of non performing assets.
(2) diversion of depositors fund,
(3) losses incurred in non-banking businesses,
(4) violations of statutory transactions, regulatory provisions and
(5) irregularities in asset management and dividend distribution.
3.
Learned Additional Public Prosecutor (APP) submits that investigation on the point of irregularities in asset management and dividend distribution is in process and some time will be required. When enquired, as to how much more time will SIT take to complete investigation, learned APP, on instructions from Mr. Anupkumar Sing, ADG, submits that investigation will be completed within two months from today. The statement is accepted. However, we expect SIT to complete investigation within one month from today.
4.
Further and considering the nature of allegations and the scope of investigation, we deem it appropriate to appoint Mr. P. R. Agrawal, Advocate as amicus. He is present in the Court and has graciously accepted to act as amicus.
5.
The Registry shall furnish copy of petitions and the status report of investigation to the amicus,
who shall go through the same and apprise us of the niceties involved in the matter.
6.
SIT may also take advice-cum-guidance from the amicus.
7.
List on 24-3-2026.
(JUDGE) (JUDGE.) wasnik