GTL LIMITED THROUGH MILIND BAPAT vs CENTRAL BUREAU INVESTIGATION AND ANR.

Judgment text excerpt

Panchal WP-3631-24 (GTL)-28.02.26.docx IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY CRIMINAL APPELLATE JURISDICTION WRIT PETITION NO. 3631 OF 2024 GTL Limited } Petitioner versus Central Bureau of Investigation & Anr. } Respondents Mr. Aabad Ponda, Senior Advocate with Mr. Manoj Mohite, Senior Advocate, Mr. Sajal Yadav, Ms. Sonam Gupta, Ms. Apporva Agrawal, Mr. Prasad Lotlikar, Mr. Essaji Vahanvati, Ms. Aparna Kulkarni, Mr. Suyash Gadre, Mr. Abhishek Thote i/b. Mr. Harsh Ghangurde, Advocates for the Petitioner. Mr. Kuldeep Patil with Mr. Sumitkumar Nimbalkar, Ms. Sanika Joshi, Mr. Anay S. Joshi and Ms. Saili Dhuru, Advocates for Respondent No.1-CBI. Ms. M. M. Deshmukh, In-Charge Public Prosecutor with Mr. S. V. Gavand, APP for Respondent No. 2 CORAM: SHREE CHANDRASHEKHAR, CJ. & GAUTAM A. ANKHAD, J. Reserved on : 12th December 2025 Pronounced on : 27th February 2026 JUDGMENT Per, Shree Chandrashekhar, CJ : The GTL Limited represented through its authorized representative is seeking quashing of the First Information Report registered by the Central Bureau of Investigation (in short, CBI) on 21st January 2023 against the GTL Limited, unknown directors of the GTL Limited, unknown bank officers and unknown private persons including the vendors and beneficiary group of the GTL Limited. 2. A Preliminary Enquiry vide PE 2192022E0001 was conducted into the allegation made in the complaint dated 1/22 Panchal WP-3631-24 (GTL)-28.02.26.docx 14th July 2021 submitted to the CBI. After the inquiry, the CBI registered a crime vide RC2192023E0003 on 21st January 2023 under section 120-B read with section 420 of the Indian Penal Code and section 13(2) read with section 13(1)(d) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988. This was the allegation against the GTL Ltd. that it fraudulently obtai