15-ABA-1546-2026.odt Harish IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY CRIMINAL APPELLATE JURISDICTION ANTICIPATORY BAIL APPLICATION NO. 1546 OF 2026 Nitesh Ganesh Ambadaskar ...Applicant V/S. The State Of Maharashtra ...Respondent _____________________________________________________________ Adv. Vikas P. Kamble, for the Applicant. Adv. Arfan Sait, APP for the Respondent – State. PI - Mr. Zole, Saki Naka Police Station is present. _________________________________________________________ CORAM : PRAFULLA S. KHUBALKAR, J. DATE : 12TH OCTOBER, 2026. P.C. :- 1. Heard learned counsel for the applicant as well as learned APP for the respondent-state. 2. The applicant has filed the instant application seeking pre-arrest bail in connection with Crime No. 246 of 2026 dated 14.03.2026 registered with Sakinaka Police Station, Brihanmumbai, for the offence punishable under Sections 308(2) and 318(4) read with Section 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023 and Section 66(c) and 66(d) of Information Technology Act, 2000. 3. The FIR is registered on the basis of a raid conducted on 13.03.2026 on the premises of a hotel by name ‘Heaven Terrace’ Hotel, which is being run by this applicant on a leave and license basis. The crux of 1/4 15-ABA-1546-2026.odt allegations in the FIR is that the customers were being cheated by charging exorbitant rates for serving liquor and on the basis of these allegations, an offence came to be registered against several persons including this applicant who is arraigned as accused no.7. 4. Learned counsel for the applicant submits that there are no complaints by any of the customers alleging that exorbitant rates were charged for serving liquor. He submits that the applicant is not the owner of the said hotel and his name is implicated only to show outcome of raid and initiation of criminal case. He submits that, in accordance with the interim protection order dated 18.06.2026, the applicant has joined the investigation and had attended the police station. He, therefore, prays for confirmation of the interim protection. 5. As against this, learned APP for the respondent has opposed the application. He submits that there are allegations about charging exorbitant amounts for serving liquor and that the applicant being the person running the said restaurant is involved in the offence. It is also submitted that the investigation is almost completed and the charge-sheet is likely to be filed. There is no dispute that the applicant has attended the police station in accordance with the interim protection order. 6. Perused the FIR and the documents placed on record. The crux of the allegations against this applicant is, tacit knowledge being in charge of the restaurant wherein exorbitant rates for liquor were charged. Pertinent to 2/4 15-ABA-1546-2026.odt note there are no complaints by any of the customers alleging that exorbitant rates are charged. Apart from this, considering the fact that the investigation is almost complete and the applicant has attended the police station in accordance with the interim protection order, the same needs to be confirmed, subject to certain conditions. 7. Hence, I pass the following order : : : O R D E R : : i] The Anticipatory Bail Application is allowed. ii] In the event of arrest of the applicant in Crime No. 246 of 2026 dated 14.03.2026 registered with Sakinaka Police Station, Brihanmumbai, for the offence punishable under Sections 308(2) and 318(4) read with Section 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023 and Section 66(c) and 66(d) of Information Technology Act, 2000, he be released on bail on furnishing P. R. Bond of Rs.25,000/- (Rupees Twenty Five Thousand Only) with one solvent surety in the like amount. iii] The applicant is directed to attend the police 3/4 15-ABA-1546-2026.odt station as and when called upon by the investigating agency. iv] The applicant shall extend co-operation during investigation and trial. v] The applicant is restrained from contacting informant or any witnesses in any manner. vi] The applicant is directed to inform his present address with Aadhar number and convey any change therein, to the investigating officer. 8. The Anticipatory Bail Application is allowed and disposed of. (PRAFULLA S. KHUBALKAR, J.) 4/4