Lalita W/O Rajendra Chore v. State Of Maharashtra Thr. Investigation Officer, Nagpur Cyber Ps, Dist. Nagpur.

2026:BHC-NAG:7194

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY

NAGPUR BENCH, NAGPUR.

CRIMINAL APPLICATION (ABA) NO.355 OF 2026 Lalita w/o Rajendra Chore Vs.

State of Maharashtra __________________________________________________________________ Office Notes, Office Memoranda of Coram, appearances, Court's orders of directions Court's or Judge's orders.

and Registrar's Orders.

Shri P.S. Dhenge, Advocate for applicant.

Shri N.R. Rode, AGP / APP for respondent/State. CORAM : RAJNISH R. VYAS, J.

DATE : 08.05.2026.

1.

Apprehending arrest, the applicant has preferred this application in connection with First Information Report No.24/2025, dated 12.03.2025, registered with Nagpur City Cyber Police Station, District Nagpur for the offences punishable under Section 66(C) of the Information Technology Act, 2000 and Sections 340(2), 340(1), 338, 336(3), 319(2) and 318(4) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023.

2.

In short, it is the case of the prosecution that the applicant was working on the post of Headmistress of the Harsh Vidya Mandir Upper Primary School, Nagpur since 2016 and was responsible for creation of Shalarth ID, which was subsequently found to be on the basis of bogus document. The learned counsel for the applicant submits that since this Court has already protected the similarly circumstanced persons, same relief be applied to her.

3.

Per contra, the learned APP has opposed the application and contended that the applicant was the Headmistress and was responsible for forwarding the proposal of the employees/teachers, which she has not done diligently. According to him, the custodial interrogation of the applicant is necessary.

4.

With the assistance of the respective learned counsels, I have gone through the record of the case and have given thoughtful consideration to the arguments advanced. The applicant was the Headmistress of the Harsh Vidya Mandir Upper Primary School, Nagpur and had forwarded the eight proposals for appointment of the employees. The investigating agency has argued that those proposals were not found with the office of either the Education Officer or the Deputy Director of Education. Just because the proposals are not found in the Office of the Education Officer or the Deputy Director of Education, it cannot be said that the applicant had forwarded the bogus proposals. This Court while deciding the Criminal Application (ABA) No.48/2026 along with the other connected matters on 20.04.2026 has dealt with the aforesaid aspect at length. In view of the parity involved and considering the fact that the applicant has no criminal antecedent, the following order is passed:

ORDER

i) The Criminal Application is allowed and disposed of. ii) In the event of arrest, in connection with FIR/Crime No.24/2025, dated 12/03/2025, registered with Police Station Nagpur City, District Nagpur for the offences punishable under Sections 66(C) of the Information Technology Act, 2000 and Sections 340(2), 340(1), 338, 336(3), 319(2) and 318(4) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, applicant - Lalita w/o Rajendra Chore shall be released on bail on furnishing a P.R. bond of 55,000/- ₹ (Rupees Fifty Five Thousand Only) with one solvent surety in the like amount.

iv) The applicant shall attend the concerned Police Station on 15th and 16th May, 2026 between 03.00 p.m. to 06.00 p.m. and thereafter as and when called by the investigating officer.

v) The applicant shall cooperate with the investigating agency and shall not tamper with the prosecution evidence or influence the witnesses directly or indirectly. vi) The applicant shall not leave India without prior permission of the Court.

(Rajnish R. Vyas, J.) Wagh