Pre-arrest bail denied to lawyer accused of forging Bombay High Court orders

The Bombay High Court has denied anticipatory bail to advocate Vinaykumar Khatu, accused of forging court orders. The court emphasised the need for custodial interrogation, citing Khatu’s alleged criminal history.
“In cases like this, custodial interrogation is essential to fully uncover the extent of the fraud, including the money trail and the persons involved,” said Justice RN Laddha. The judge stated that granting pre-arrest bail would disrupt the investigation.
Khatu was accused of misleading a woman involved in a legal dispute over property in Alibag. The woman alleged that Khatu told her the High Court had issued favourable orders on two occasions in 2022. When these orders were not acted upon, she changed her lawyer and later found the orders were forged.
Khatu’s lawyer, Pushpa Ganediwala, argued that the woman herself had forged the orders. She also dismissed allegations that Khatu received Rs. 2.57 crores from the woman, claiming the money was forwarded for taxes and customs duties.
Additional Public Prosecutor Yogesh Dabke opposed the bail plea, pointing to WhatsApp chats between Khatu, the woman, and her accountant that allegedly show the funds were taken to secure favourable court orders.
Advocate Rizwan Merchant, representing the woman, accused Khatu of exploiting the woman, knowing she had no legal heirs. He described the situation as a “sophisticated criminal conspiracy” and noted Khatu’s previous legal troubles in Kerala and Delhi.