Mumbai, Maharashtra – [March 18th, 2024] – The Additional Sessions Judge for Greater Bombay, Mr. Rajesh A. Sasne, presiding in Court Room No. 30, has granted bail to Rakesh Anandkumar Kedia, a 56-year-old businessman, in connection with an extortion case registered with the DCB CID Unit-9, Mumbai. The order, dated March 12, 2024, pertains to Criminal Bail Application No. 608 of 2024.

Mr. Kedia was arrested on January 21, 2024, in connection with C.R. No. 09 of 2024 (corresponding to C.R. No. 109/2024 at Bandra Police Station). He is accused of offences punishable under Sections 386 (extortion), 387 (putting person in fear of death or of grievous hurt, in order to commit extortion), 506(II) (criminal intimidation), and 120-B (criminal conspiracy) of the Indian Penal Code. The State of Maharashtra is the respondent in this case.

Advocate Jagdish Choudhary, representing Nankani Associates, appeared for the applicant, Mr. Kedia. The prosecution was represented by APP Iqbal Solkar.

In his bail application, Mr. Kedia claimed innocence and stated that he had been falsely implicated in the case. He highlighted his custodial interrogation, the absence of any prior criminal record, and his willingness to cooperate with the investigating agency. He argued that his continued detention served no purpose, especially considering he is a permanent resident of his provided address.

The prosecution vehemently opposed the bail application, arguing that Mr. Kedia’s release would hinder the collection of evidence, increase the risk of him fleeing from justice, and create opportunities for him to threaten prosecution witnesses and tamper with evidence.

After carefully considering the arguments from both sides and perusing the documents on record, Judge Sasne noted the prosecution’s case revolves around a complaint filed by an informant involved in the construction business. The case also involves accused Satish Dhanuka, a real estate businessman and proprietor of M/s. Satish Enterprises, with whom the informant’s company had prior financial dealings related to a redevelopment project of Ambedkar Nagar Cooperative Society. This project was later terminated, and a deed of cancellation was executed. Subsequently, the same cooperative society approached the informant for redevelopment.

The FIR alleges that the informant received a WhatsApp call from an unknown person demanding settlement of the dispute with Satish Dhanuka under the threat of facing Enforcement Directorate (ED) proceedings. It further alleges that the informant was later contacted by a friend, Pankaj, who suggested speaking to his friend, Sandeep, who claimed connections with ED officers. A meeting was arranged at a hotel, later changed to Starbucks Coffee at Nariman Point, where the applicant, Mr. Kedia, was allegedly present along with five others. During this meeting, Satish Dhanuka allegedly demanded ₹164 crores as extortion and threatened the informant with consequences, including death, if the demand was not met. Following this, the FIR was lodged, leading to the arrest of several accused, including Mr. Kedia.

Judge Sasne acknowledged Mr. Kedia’s contention that he is a relative of Mr. Satish Dhanuka. The prosecution’s case against Mr. Kedia primarily rests on his presence at the alleged extortion meeting between Satish Dhanuka and the informant. The court also took note of the observations made in the order granting anticipatory bail to the main accused, Satish Dhanuka, indicating that the alleged demand stemmed from previous monetary transactions.

Considering that Mr. Kedia had been in custody since his arrest on January 21, 2024, and that no further recovery was pending against him, the court observed that the investigation against him appeared to be complete. Taking into account the “limited role attributed to him,” Judge Sasne concluded that further incarceration was unwarranted and that Mr. Kedia’s presence could be secured through reasonable conditions of attendance.

Consequently, the court passed the following order:

ORDER

1. Criminal Bail Application No. 608 of 2024 is allowed.
2. The Applicant / Accused Rakesh Anandkumar Kedia, arrested in C.R.No.09/2024 (Correspondent C.R.No.109/2024 Bandra Police Station), Mumbai under Section 386,387,506(II),120(B) of the Indian Penal Code, registered with DCB CID Unit-9 be released on bail on furnishing a Personal Bond (P.B.) and Surety Bond (S.B.) of ₹30,000/- (Rupees Thirty Thousand Only) with one or two sureties.
3. The applicant / accused shall not tamper with the prosecution witnesses and evidence in any manner.
4. The applicant / accused shall attend the said police station on the 2nd Saturday of every month between 11:00 am to 02:00 p.m. till the filing of the charge sheet.
5. Provisional cash bail in the like amount is allowed. The accused shall furnish surety within 4 weeks from the date of release from jail failing which the cash bail shall stand forfeited without any separate order to that effect.
6. The applicant / accused shall not leave India without prior permission of the Court.
7. Bail to be furnished before the concerned Magistrate.

The order was dictated on March 12, 2024, transcribed on March 13, 2024, and signed by Additional Sessions Judge Mr. Rajesh A. Sasne on March 14, 2024. The certified true and correct copy of the original signed order was uploaded on March 15, 2024, at 5:43 p.m.

This bail order provides temporary relief to Mr. Kedia, allowing his release from custody while the investigation into the alleged extortion continues. The imposed conditions, including the bond, regular police station visits, and restrictions on leaving the country, aim to ensure his cooperation with the ongoing investigation and his presence for any future legal proceedings.