Union Of India , Through Directorate Of Enforcement v. Sanjay Raut

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY

CRIMINAL APPELLATE JURISDICTION INTERIM APPLICATION NO. 701 OF 2026 IN CRIMINAL APPLICATION NO. 340 OF 2022 Union Of India, Through Directorate Of Enforcement ... Applicant Versus.

Sanjay Raut ... Respondent ----- Mr. Chaitanya Pendse, for the Applicant.

Mr. Omkar Shere h/f Vikrant Sabre & Associates, for the Respondent No. 1.

Mr. Yogesh Nakhwa, APP for the Respondent - State. ------- CORAM : ASHWIN D. BHOBE, J.

DATE : 7th April, 2026 P.C. :

1.

This Interim Application is at Serial No. 72 on the Daily Main Board. At 11:00 a.m., Mr. Chaitanya Pendse, Advocate for the Applicant, and Mr. Omkar Shere, Advocate for Respondent No.1, requested to take up this matter out of turn. In view of the request made by the learned Advocates for the parties, this Interim Application is taken up.

2.

By the present Interim Application, the Applicant (Directorate of Enforcement) is before this Court seeking the following relief in terms of prayer clause (A) and (B):- A.

To direct the Registry of this Hon'ble Court to release and transmit forthwith to the Learned Special Court (PMLA), Mumbai, the entire original record and all proceedings pertaining to PMLA Special Case No. 356 of 2022 and all connected documents, which were earlier called for in Criminal Application No. 340 of 2025;

B.

To permit the Applicant to furnish duly certified/authenticated copies of the said records for the continued hearing of Criminal Application No. 340 of 2025, if deemed fit by this Hon'ble Court;

3.

The prelude to the said prayer is the Order dated 21.08.2023 passed by this Court in Criminal Application No. 340 of 2022, which reads as follows:

"1.

Heard Mr.Singh, learned Senior Counsel for the Applicant and Mr.Ponda, learned Senior Counsel for the Respondent.

2.

Stand over to 11th September 2023 at 2.30 p.m.

3.

Call Record and Proceedings."

4.

Mr. Chaitanya Pendse, learned Advocate for the Applicant, states that because the records of PMLA Special Case No. 356 of 2022 have been called, the proceedings before the Court of Special Judge, Court Room No. 54, constituted under the PML Act at Mumbai have been halted since 21.08.2023. He submits that the Order dated 21.08.2023 does not grant a stay of proceedings. 5.

Mr. Chaitanya Pendse, learned Counsel for the Applicant, submits that the Applicant is thus before this Court with the present Interim Application. He states that the Applicant (Enforcement Director) will provide certified copies of the entire record of PMLA Special Case No. 356 of 2022, to be filed with the Registry of this Court. He further submits that once the certified copy of the complete record is included in the proceedings of Criminal Application No. 340 of 2022, the original records of PMLA Special Case No. 356 of 2022 be forthwith returned to the Court of the Special Judge, Court Room No. 54, in Mumbai, so that the proceedings can commence. Mr. Chaitanya Pendse states

that the certified copies of the entire record shall be filed in the Registry of this Court within four (4) weeks from today. 6.

Mr. Omkar Shere, learned Advocate for the Respondent No. 1, does not object to the said request made by Mr. Chaitanya Pendse, learned Advocate for the Applicant and states that this Interim Application can be allowed in terms of prayer clause (A) and (B) 7.

Mr. Yogesh Nakhwa, learned APP for the Respondent - State, submits that the State is a formal party.

8.

In view of the statements and submissions made by Mr. Chaitanya Pendse, learned Advocate for the Applicant and Mr. Omkar Shere, learned Advocate for Respondent No. 1, this application is allowed in terms of prayer clause (A) and (B). Applicant (Enforcement Director) shall provide certified copies of the complete record and proceedings of PMLA Special Case No. 356 of 2022, which shall be filed in the Registry of this Court within four weeks from today.

9.

Mr. Chaitanya Pendse assures this Court that the Applicant will adhere to the four(4) week time frame.

10.

Upon the Applicant providing the certified copies of the complete record and proceedings of PMLA Special Case No. 356 of 2022, place them in the file of Criminal Application No. 340 of 2022.

11.

The original records of the PMLA Special Case No. 356 of 2022 should be returned to the Court of the Special Judge, Court Room No. 54, Mumbai, in accordance with the procedure. 12.

Interim Application No. 701 of 2026 is disposed of. (ASHWIN D. BHOBE, J.) Digitally signed by ARJUN KRISHNA RODGE Date:

2026.04.09 21:42:55 +0530 ARJUN KRISHNA RODGE