Mumbai, Maharashtra – April 21, 2022 – Dr. Anil Bhau Nandoskar, a 70-year-old practicing doctor, has been granted bail by the Sessions Court for Greater Mumbai in connection with a suspicious death case. Additional Sessions Judge B.V. Wagh (C.R. No. 24) allowed Criminal Bail Application No. 845 of 2022, related to C.R. No. 561/2021 registered with Matunga Police Station.
Dr. Nandoskar was arrested and charged under Sections 304 (culpable homicide not amounting to murder), 201 (causing disappearance of evidence of offense, or giving false information to screen offender), 182 (false information, with intent to cause public servant to use his lawful power to the injury of another person),1 120(B) (criminal conspiracy), 495 (bigamy), 504 (intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of the peace), and 506 (criminal intimidation) of the Indian Penal Code2 (IPC).
Case Background:
The case stemmed from a complaint filed by Natasha Sethna, the daughter of the deceased. Sethna alleged that after her mother’s death in 2016, her father lived alone and employed Dr. Nandoskar as his caretaker. She claimed that Dr. Nandoskar obstructed her communication with her father.
On October 8, 2020, Sethna was informed of her father’s death. At the cremation ground, she noticed contusions and bruises on his head. When questioned, Dr. Nandoskar provided no explanation. Further investigation revealed that Dr. Nandoskar had allegedly issued a false death certificate, stating the cause of death as natural, and prevented an autopsy. It also emerged that Dr. Nandoskar had allegedly manipulated his status from caretaker to legally wedded wife of the deceased, thereby attempting to claim the deceased’s property.
Arguments and Court’s Reasoning:
Dr. Nandoskar’s counsel, Adv. Silvin Kale, argued that his client was innocent and falsely implicated. He highlighted that Dr. Nandoskar is a senior citizen, a practicing doctor, and suffers from age-related ailments. He also pointed out that during the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr. Nandoskar served the community and issued death certificates. He claimed that the main accused in the case had conspired and neglected the deceased, leading to his death, to seize his property. The role attributed to Dr. Nandoskar was limited to issuing a fake death certificate, and no direct involvement in the alleged crime was established. He also emphasized that the main accused had been granted bail and that Dr. Nandoskar had no criminal antecedents.
The prosecution, represented by APP Ratnavali Patil, opposed the bail application, arguing that there was prima facie evidence against Dr. Nandoskar for issuing the false death certificate.
The court, after reviewing the investigation papers, noted that Dr. Nandoskar’s role was primarily related to the issuance of the death certificate, which had already been seized by the investigators. “Survey of the investigation papers indicates that the role of applicant is of issuing fake death certificate of deceased. The allegation pertains to applicant is related to the document which is already seized by the investigator,” Judge Wagh stated.
The court also considered that Dr. Nandoskar was a senior citizen, the investigation had progressed significantly, and the main accused had been granted bail. “Considering the nature of allegation, main accused are released on bail, applicant being senior citizen and investigation is considerably progressed, further detention of the applicant is unwarranted,” Judge Wagh concluded.
Bail Conditions:
Judge Wagh granted bail to Dr. Anil Bhau Nandoskar on the following conditions:
- Execution of a personal bond of ₹15,000 with a surety of the same amount.
- Submission of residential address proof and contact numbers to the Investigating Officer.
- Prohibition from directly or indirectly inducing, threatening, or promising any person acquainted with the facts of the case.
- Prohibition from leaving India without prior permission of the Court.
- Bail to be processed before the lower Court.
The certified copy of the judgment was issued on April 21, 2022. This decision highlights the court’s consideration of the limited role of the accused, the stage of the investigation, and the principle of parity when granting bail, particularly to a senior citizen with no prior criminal record.