The Bombay High Court has granted interim protection from arrest to a former employee of a company who filed a petition in 2024, seeking an investigation into alleged financial fraud in structural repairs to Vashi railway station. The petitioner also sought action against the company's chief managing director.
Interim Relief Granted
Justice Sandesh Patil on May 19 granted interim relief to Shrikant Patil, 35, until the next hearing on June 23, allowing the prosecutor time to take instructions in the matter. The court directed that, in the event of arrest, Patil shall be released on a Rs 20,000 personal bond with one or two sureties in the like amount. He shall report to the investigating officer as and when called upon.
Background of the Case
Patil moved the vacation court apprehending arrest in respect of the October 17, 2025, FIR registered by Malad police station under the Indian Penal Code section for theft. The complaint was filed by Hemanshu Shah, Chairman and Managing Director of Mahendra Realtors and Infrastructure Private Limited, which carried out structural repairs of Vashi station between 2018 and 2020. The FIR alleged that Patil stole documents from the company and filed the petition in the High Court. On May 6, the Dindoshi sessions court rejected his plea for anticipatory bail.
Patil's application stated that he is innocent and a law-abiding citizen who is a whistleblower. He is a permanent resident of Palghar district, has no criminal antecedents, and is unlikely to tamper with evidence or abscond.
Arguments in Court
Patil's advocate, Sariputta Sarnath, reiterated that his client is merely a whistleblower and that the complaint was filed to pressurise him into withdrawing his petition. When Justice Patil asked whether the police wanted to arrest the whistleblower, the prosecutor sought time to take instructions as the investigating officer was not present.
Allegations in the Petition
Patil's petition said that in 2016, he joined the company as a driver and was subsequently promoted to a sales executive. In June 2018, the City and Industrial Development Corporation (Cidco) awarded the company a nearly Rs 28 crore contract for structural repairs and allied works. Patil alleged that Shah committed various illegalities under the work order. He also claimed that Shah's main objective was to cheat various public sector organisations and government departments by falsifying documents, forging valuable securities, and other means, thereby causing wrongful gain to himself. Patil claimed his services were terminated because he was not supporting the illegal activities.
