Authority: High Court of Judicature at Bombay, Circuit Bench at Kolhapur

Order Date: 12 October 2026

Case Overview

  • Applicant: Priya Yogesh Sutar, serving as Chief Executive Officer‑cum‑Manager of Shamrao Nagari Sahakari Patsanstha Maryadit, Bharne, Taluka Khed, District Ratnagiri.
  • Respondents: State of Maharashtra and others.
  • Criminal Bail Application No. 653 of 2026 filed under Section 483 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (BNSS).
  • Underlying offence: Crime No. 253 of 2025 registered at Khed Police Station, District Ratnagiri, alleging violations of Sections 3 and 4 of the Maharashtra Protection of Interest of Depositors (in Financial Establishments) Act, 1999 (MPID Act) and IPC Sections 420, 409, 406, 467, 468 and 120‑B read with Section 34.
  • Allegations: Office‑bearers and employees of the Patsanstha colluded to disburse loans, withdraw amounts and issue fixed‑deposit receipts on forged/fabricated documents; duplicate fixed‑deposit receipts were printed, cheating investors and the credit society.
  • Total accused: 16 persons; Applicant is Accused No. 14. The case is also recorded as MPID Special Case No. 34 of 2025 pending before the Additional Sessions Judge, Khed.
  • Chairman Dattaram Bala Baikar (Accused No. 1) had earlier been released on bail by the Supreme Court in Special Leave to Appeal (Criminal) No. 13376 of 2026; a photostat of that order was placed on record.
  • The applicant argued parity with the Chairman and cited no prior criminal antecedents.
  • Respondent counsel highlighted forged fixed‑deposit receipts bearing the applicant’s signature without other signatories, failure to verify documents before loan disbursement, and issuance of a “Hamipatra” promising repayment to the Patsanstha. Investors are described as economically weak.
  • The Supreme Court, in paragraphs 4‑5 of its order granting bail to the Chairman, noted the chargesheet filed on 27‑05‑2025, the applicant’s 10‑month custody since 30‑08‑2025, and the principle of parity among co‑accused.
  • The applicant has been in custody since 30 August 2025; prosecution has cited 42 witnesses; trial has not yet commenced.
  • Considering gender benefit under Section 480 of the BNSS, the court found continued incarceration unwarranted.

Final Outcome

  • The High Court allowed the bail application on the following terms:
  • A) Release on bail upon furnishing a personal bond of Rs 1,00,000 (One Lakh Rupees) with two solvent sureties of equal amount, satisfactory to the Additional Sessions Judge, Khed, in MPID Special Case No. 34 of 2025.
  • B) No inducement, threat or promise to any person acquainted with the facts to dissuade disclosure to the Court or police; no tampering with evidence.
  • C) Report to the Investigating Officer, Khed Police Station, on the second Monday of each month between 10:00 a.m. and 12:00 noon, commencing 9 November 2026, until trial concludes.
  • D) Surrender passport (if any) to the Trial Court within three days of release.
  • E) Within three days, furnish mobile/WhatsApp number and residential address with proof to the Investigating Officer and keep it updated.
  • F) Cooperate with the trial, appear before the Trial Court on each date fixed unless exempted; failure to appear constitutes breach and may lead to cancellation of bail.
  • G) In case of any default or misuse of liberty, prosecution may seek cancellation of bail.
  • The observations are confined to bail determination and will not affect the substantive trial.
  • Criminal Bail Application No. 653 of 2026 is disposed.

Topics: Bail, Financial Fraud, Cooperative Credit Society