Mumbai, April 9, 2025 (Thane News Network): The Additional Sessions Judge for Greater Mumbai, Shri B.V. Wagh, has granted bail to Prasad Maruti Adhikari, a 28-year-old resident of Kalachowki, in connection with a case registered at Kalachowki Police Station under CR No. 90/2022. Adhikari was accused of offences punishable under Sections 353 (assault or criminal force to deter public servant from discharge of his duty), 504 (intentional insult with¹ intent to provoke breach of the peace), 506 (criminal intimidation), and 34 (acts done by several persons in furtherance of common intention) of² the Indian Penal Code.

The case originated from an incident that occurred on March 23 and 24, 2022, at the Lalbaug branch of the State Bank of India (SBI). According to the prosecution’s case, a customer named Bhakti had complained about an alleged wrongful deduction of ₹10,000 from her account. After being advised by bank personnel to check online transactions and return the next day, Bhakti revisited the bank on March 24, 2022, to inquire further. Dissatisfied with the bank’s response, she reportedly engaged in a quarrel with the employees. Subsequently, her brother, the applicant Prasad Maruti Adhikari, arrived at the bank and allegedly deterred the bank employees from performing their duties, leading to the lodging of a police report by the informant, a bank employee.

Adhikari was arrested on March 24, 2022, the same day the second incident occurred, and had been in judicial custody since then.

During the bail hearing, Advocate Mr. Prashant Panchal appeared on behalf of the applicant, while Ms. Jyotsana Gawali, the learned Additional Public Prosecutor (APP), represented the State.

After hearing arguments from both sides and examining the case records, Additional Sessions Judge Shri B.V. Wagh delivered an oral order in open court on March 30, 2022, granting bail to Prasad Maruti Adhikari.

The court, in its order, noted that the incident in question took place on March 24, 2022, and the applicant’s arrest followed immediately on the same day. It was also observed that the investigation had progressed considerably and that no recoveries were made at the instance of the applicant. Considering the nature of the allegations and the fact that the witnesses were bank employees, the court deemed further incarceration of the applicant unwarranted.

Consequently, the court passed the following order:

1. Bail Application Allowed: Criminal Bail Application No. 683 of 2022 was allowed.
2. Release on Bond: Applicant/accused Prasad Maruti Adhikari was ordered to be released on bail upon furnishing a Personal Recognizance (P.R.) Bond of ₹15,000 along with a surety of a like amount in connection with CR No. 90/2022 registered with Kalachowki Police Station for the aforementioned offences.
3. Address and Contact Information: The applicant/accused is required to furnish his residential address proof and contact numbers to the Investigating Officer.
4. No Tampering with Witnesses: The applicant/accused is strictly prohibited from directly or indirectly making any inducement, threat, or promise to any person acquainted with the facts of the case to dissuade them from disclosing such facts to the Court or any Police Officer.
5. Travel Restriction: The applicant/accused is not permitted to leave India without the prior permission of the Court.
6. Bail Before Lower Court: The final bail formalities are to be completed before the Lower Court.
7. Application Disposed Of: Criminal Bail Application No. 683 of 2022 stands disposed of accordingly.

The order was dictated, transcribed, and signed by the Additional Sessions Judge Shri B.V. Wagh on March 30, 2022, and subsequently uploaded on the court’s record on the same day.

This grant of bail offers temporary relief to Prasad Maruti Adhikari. However, the legal proceedings in the case will continue, and he will be required to adhere to the conditions set forth by the court, including providing a surety, not tampering with witnesses, and seeking permission before leaving the country. The case will now likely proceed to trial where the allegations against him will be examined in detail.