1 20-Cr.ABA-815-2026 IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY NAGPUR BENCH, NAGPUR. CRIMINAL APPLICATION [A.B.A.] NO. 815 OF 2026 Manav Arun Wankhede -- VERSUS -- 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. Mr. A.V. Karnavat, Advocate for the Applicant. Mr. H.D. Marathe, A.P.P. for the Non-applicant/State. CORAM : M.M. NERLIKAR, J. DATE : OCTOBER 01, 2026. Heard. 2. Apprehending arrest, the accused has approached this Court in connection with Crime No.54/2024 for the offences punishable under Sections 420, 489-E and 34 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860, and Sections 66(C) and 66(D) of the Information Technology Act, 2000, registered with Police Station Malkapur, District Buldhana 3. The informant alleged that on 05/02/2024, he received a link through WhatsApp regarding a prize of Rs.10,00,000/-. After filling the Google Form, he was informed that he had won the prize and was required to pay Piyush Mahajan 2026:BHC-NAG:13069 2 20-Cr.ABA-815-2026 Rs.1,50,000/- as processing fees. Accordingly, on 11/02/2024, the informant met two unknown persons at Jaggu Mama’s Dhaba, Malkapur, and paid them Rs.1,50,000/- in cash. The said persons handed over a bag purportedly containing Rs.10,00,000/-. Upon checking the bag, the informant found that, except for five genuine Rs.500/- currency notes, the remaining 1,920 notes of Rs.500/- denomination were counterfeit. The informant thus alleged that he was induced to part with Rs.1,50,000/- on the false promise of the prize amount. Based on these allegations, the First Information Report (F.I.R.) came to be registered against the unknown persons. 4. The learned counsel for the applicant submits that the allegations against the applicant are that the applicant had sent one person for collection of Toy bills. He further submits that the name of the applicant was taken by co-accused – Harun Tadawi, who has been arrested by the Police. Apart from that, there is no link either between the applicant and Harun or any other material to connect the applicant with the alleged crime. 5. The learned A.P.P. concedes to the fact that except the statement of Harun and one statement wherein the applicant has collected Toy bills, there is no other evidence; however, he submits that the statement of the person from whom the applicant had obtained the Toys bills is sufficient to connect the applicant, and therefore, he prays to reject the application. Piyush Mahajan 3 20-Cr.ABA-815-2026 6. Upon consideration of the submissions, it appears that the arrested person Harun has taken the name of the applicant, however, there is no link shown by the learned A.P.P. between the applicant and the said Harun. It further appears that the statement of one person was recorded, wherein it was stated that the applicant had collected Toy bills from him, however, there is no material on record to show that the said notes were used in the commission of the crime. Even the learned A.P.P. was not able to point out any such circumstance. Under such circumstances, I am inclined to grant anticipatory bail to the applicant. Hence, the following order:- O R D E R i) The Criminal Application is allowed and disposed of; ii) In the event of arrest of applicant (Manav Arun Mankhede) in connection with Crime No.54/2024 for the offences punishable under Sections 420, 489-E and 34 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860, and Sections 66(C) and 66(D) of the Information Technology Act, 2000, registered with Police Station Malkapur, District Buldhana, be released on bail on furnishing a P.R. bond of Rs.25,000/- (Rupees Twenty Five Thousand only) with one solvent surety in the like amount; iii) The applicant shall attend the concerned Police Station on Sunday between 11.00 a.m. to 02.00 p.m. of Piyush Mahajan 4 20-Cr.ABA-815-2026 every month or as and when called by the Investigating Officer and shall cooperate with the Investigating Agency; iv) The applicant shall not tamper with the prosecution evidence or threaten the prosecution witnesses; v) The observations of this Court are prima facie in nature. The Trial Court shall not be influenced by the same; (vi) Pending Misc. Application(s), if any, also stand disposed of. [ (M.M. NERLIKAR, J.) Piyush Mahajan Signed by: Piyush Ramesh Mahajan Designation: PA To Honourable Judge Date: 01/10/2026 18:09:22