ASHOK Vs. STATE OF MAHARASHTRA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The applicant apprehending arrest in connection with ofence punishable u/s 16 of the Maharashtra Money-Lending (Regulation) Act, 2014, registered vide Crime No.51/2020 with Police Station, Shrirampur Dist.Ahmednagar, preferred this application u/s 438 of the Code of Criminal Procedure for grant of pre-arrest bail.

(2.) Heard learned counsel for the applicant and learned APP for the State. Perused the report dated 13.8.2020 submitted to the learned APP by the Investigating Ofcer. Also perused the First Information Report and the order dated 20.2.2020 passed by the learned Additional Sessions Judge rejecting the application fled by the applicant for anticipatory bail.

(3.) On due consideration of the submissions advanced, I am of the view that the applicant has made out strong case for grant of anticipatory bail. It is very strange to note that ofence has been registered u/s 16 of the Maharashtra Money-Lending (Regulation) Act, 2014 (hereinafter referred as the said Act), which is not a penal provision to prosecute the person. Section 16 of the said Act deals with the powers of authorized ofcer to secure production of records or documents. Section 16 of the said Act reads as under:-