HC grants pre–arrest bail to BJP MLC

15 criminal cases registered against him, say Mumbai police

The Bombay High Court on Tuesday granted anticipatory bail to BJP MLC Pravin Dareka in connection with a bank scam.

A single bench of justice Anuja Prabhudessai said, “In the event of arrest, the applicant will be released on a personal bond of ₹50,000.”

Mr. Darekar moved the High Court on March 28 after the special Prevention of Money Laundering Act court rejected his pre–arrest bail.

On March 25, special judge Rahul Rokade held a prima facie case was made out and rejected the pre–arrest bail but granted Mr. Darekar protection from arrest till March 29 for him to approach the High Court.

The case involves forged and fabricated documents submitted by Mr. Darekar on the basis of which he became the member of Pratigya Labour Operative Society which authorised him to represent it in the elections of Mumbai District Co–operative Bank.

The complaint against Mr. Darekar is that he deprived the actual labour from their right to be a member of the society and also by virtue of that became the director the Bank. The Mumbai police told the special court, “There are 15 criminal cases registered against him and this itself disqualifies him from any relief.”