BOMBAY HC REFUSED TO GRANT ANTICIPATORY GRANT TO A JMFC, BOOKED IN A BRIBERY CASE 

Bombay High refused to grant Anticipatory Bail to a Judicial Magistrate first- class, booked under the Prevention of Corruption Act for allegedly demanding bribes through her associate so as to pass a favourable order.

The Complainant approached the Anti-corruption bureau Pune and stated that he got a call from Shubhavari saying that serious criminal cases were filed against his brother. And that she could manage the judge, and then the case will be dismissed. The Anti-corruption bureau laid a trap; where Shubhavari was caught red-handed accepting the bribe.

The Counsel appearing on behalf of Jatka argued that his client had an eleven-month-old child; she contacted Gaikwad because she required a babysitter. She had no idea about the activities the co-accused have been doing behind her back.

The bench relied on the telephonic conversation between Judge Archana Jatka and co-accused Shubhavari Gaikwad. They exchanged 146 calls which indicate a nexus between them. Thus, considering the seriousness of the crime, it is necessary to carry out the investigation thoroughly.

Author: Papiha Ghoshal