Advocate Merely Allowed Office For Meeting, Did Not Play Major Role In Alleged Forex Fraud: Bombay High Court Grants Protection
The Bombay High Court has granted protection from arrest to a woman advocate accused in a forex fraud case, observing that the only allegation against her was that she had allowed her office to be used for a meeting by the other accused persons. The Court noted that there was no material to show that she was aware of the nature of the meeting and neither had she played any major role in the alleged offence.
Justice Prafulla S. Khubalkar was hearing an anticipatory bail application filed by Sangita Jagannath Shete in connection with FIR registered for offences punishable under Sections 318(4), 316(2), 336(2), 336(3) and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023.
The applicant's counsel submitted that the allegations were levelled based on the failure of the main accused to supply US dollars to the complainant even after receiving ₹42,50,000. It was submitted that the only allegation against the applicant was that she had allowed her office to be used for holding a meeting by the other accused persons.
The Court noted that although the Learned APP pointed out that the FIR contained an allegation that the applicant had allowed her office to be used for the meeting, there was no material to show that she was aware about the nature of the meeting to be held.
The Court observed that the applicant has not played any major role in the alleged offence.
“Considering the fact that the only allegation against this applicant about granting permission to use her office, it prima facie appears that she has not played any major role in the alleged offence,” the Court remarked.
The Court further noted that the charge-sheet had already been filed and there was no question of recovery from the applicant, and therefore her custody need not be insisted upon.
The Court accordingly directed the applicant to attend the police station on September 21, 2026, between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., and thereafter as and when called by the Investigating Agency. Subject to these conditions, the Court directed that she shall not be arrested till the next date.
The matter was directed to be listed for further consideration on October 5, 2026.
Case Title: Sangita Jagannath Shete v. The State of Maharashtra [Anticipatory Bail Application No. 2577 of 2026]