**Thane Sessions Court Grants Anticipatory Bail to Couple Accused in Rs 3.79 Crore Dry-Fruit Investment Case**
The Thane Sessions Court has granted anticipatory bail to two residents of Nayanagar—Dheeraj Ramesh Khandelwal and Nidhi Niraj Khandelwal—who are accused of alleged misappropriation of Rs 3.79 crore in a dry-fruit business investment scheme.
### FIR and Allegations
The couple approached the court after being named in an FIR registered at Nayanagar Police Station under Sections 318(4) read with 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023. The order was passed by Additional Sessions Judge V. G. Mohite on September 30.
According to the prosecution, the complainant, Moses Francis Chinappa, alleged that in 2022, the co-accused Niraj Khandelwal induced him to invest in a dry-fruit business. Chinappa claimed he transferred Rs 2.14 crore to Niraj’s account. Following Niraj’s instructions, he handed over Rs 45 lakh in cash to Dheeraj, Rs 40 lakh in cash to Nidhi, and Rs 80 lakh in cash to another co-accused.
While Chinappa initially received a profit of Rs 45 lakh, he later alleged that the accused failed to return the remaining investment and profits. This led him to lodge the FIR.
### Defence Claims
The Khandelwals denied all allegations, asserting they were falsely implicated due to their familial ties with Niraj Khandelwal. They argued that they had no involvement in the business, did not receive any money from the complainant, and that custodial interrogation was unnecessary.
The prosecution and the complainant’s lawyer opposed the bail plea, emphasizing that custodial interrogation was crucial to trace the money trail and recover vehicles allegedly purchased with the crime proceeds. They also raised concerns about possible evidence tampering and the risk of the accused absconding.
### Court Observations
However, the court pointed out discrepancies in the complainant’s statements and highlighted the lack of evidence regarding the claimed cash transactions.
In a strongly worded observation, the judge stated:
*“The allegations in the FIR show that, as per the instructions of co-accused Niraj, the complainant handed over Rs 95 lakh in cash to the accused. However, the complainant has not explained how he had such a huge cash amount available for payment. As per RBI rules, no one is permitted to make cash payments of Rs 20,000 or above. The Investigating Officer has also failed to gather evidence of such payments. Under these circumstances, custodial interrogation of the accused is not required.”*
The court further noted that the Investigating Officer could seek to freeze the accused’s bank accounts if necessary during the probe or trial, eliminating the need for custodial interrogation.
—
*Also Watch:* Stay updated with the latest property deals in Mumbai and surrounding regions.
To explore exclusive and budget-friendly property options, visit: [https://budgetproperties.in/](https://budgetproperties.in/)
https://www.freepressjournal.in/mumbai/thane-sessions-court-grants-anticipatory-bail-to-couple-accused-in-379-crore-dry-fruit-investment-scam