No pre-arrest bail for agent who ‘took 82L to aid fraud'
Mumbai:
Bombay high court
rejected the pre-arrest bail plea of a real estate agent who allegedly took Rs 82 lakh from a man who runs a restaurant in Vile Parle to bribe BMC officials to transfer ownership of the premises in his name.
Justice Advait Sethna on Friday stated that
Pawan Mutreja
's antecedents show he adopts a "similar modus operandi of habitually entering into such dubious transactions". "These would prima facie demonstrate that today the complainant is a victim of such conspiracy hatched by the accused persons… Tomorrow there may be someone else," he noted.
The premises were given by BMC in lieu of road widening, and there is pending litigation.
On Apr 14, Mutreja was booked for criminal breach of trust, cheating, and conspiracy on a complaint by Jayprakash Shetty (76). Mutreja, in connivance with Paresh Shah and Prakash Vyas who frequented Geeta Restaurant, induced him by misrepresentation to pay Rs 82 lakh — Rs 50 lakh by bank transfer and Rs 32 lakhcash.
Mutreja's advocate claimed he was framed, stating he received Rs 11.4 lakh loan from Vyas. Justice Sethna said it seems "doubtful and an afterthought" as there is no loan document.
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
Every Man Was In Love With These Women In The 90s
Boite A Scoop
Undo
Whether amounts received by Mutreja have a link with the Rs 82 lakh paid by Shetty requires investigation by interrogating Mutreja, he added. There were six similar criminal complaints against him.
Justice Sethna said it would be "a travesty of justice'' if his custodial interrogation is stalled or prevented. While Mutreja moved HC urgently citing his mother's surgery for cancer, the judge said, "This ground does not inspire confidence."
There was "overwriting" on the May 13 medical report to show she is advised surgery urgently. Prosecutor Supriya Kak said surgery was recommended in Aug 2024, but "nothing happened since then".
Kak submitted a transcript of a recording of a talk between Mutreja and Shetty's daughter "where this applicant has been demanding money from her for bribing BMC officials". Justice Sethna said it would prima facie indicate attempt by Mutreja "to influence the prospective witnesses, which is legally impermissible and to be deprecated".
Kak said Mutreja never cooperated in the probe and does not reside at his address. Justice Sethna said the prosecution's apprehension that Mutreja "may flee from justice cannot be summarily dismissed in the given facts and circumstances". Mutreja has not approached HC "with clean hands, which is the sine qua non, equally so…for pre-arrest bail."
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
6 minutes ago
- Time of India
From wedding vows to machete blows: Inside the chilling Meghalaya honeymoon murder - Plot revealed in 10 pictures
Sonam Raghuvanshi, once a young woman with aspirations of earning an MBA, now finds herself at the heart of a gruesome murder investigation that has shocked the nation. After completing her graduation, her academic dreams were quietly pushed aside under family pressure, which steered her into helping with the family's plywood business in Madhya Pradesh. It was there that she met Raj Kushwaha, an employee who would soon become central to one of the most chilling honeymoon murder cases in recent memory. Just days after marrying Raja Raghuvanshi in what appeared to be a traditional union, Sonam allegedly conspired with Raj to have her husband killed during their honeymoon in Meghalaya. Police claim Raj stayed behind while coordinating the murder, carried out by three men he recruited. As Raja was brutally attacked with a machete in a remote forest, Sonam stood by, reportedly watching in silence. From a false robbery narrative to an attempted cover-up, the case has unraveled into a horrifying tale of deception, betrayal, and premeditated murder, leaving both families and investigators stunned. Shattered dreams Sonam Raghuvanshi, who is now at the center of a shocking honeymoon murder case, once aspired to pursue an MBA after completing her graduation. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Scam Exposed: What They Won't Tell You about zero trust! Expertinspector Click Here Undo Her academic ambitions, however, were put on hold under family pressure. Family expectations Sonam's family discouraged her from seeking employment outside the home, urging her instead to assist her brother Govind in running the family's plywood business in Madhya Pradesh. A fatal meeting While working at the family business, Sonam met Raj Kushwaha, who managed billing and accounts. This acquaintance would later become central to a sinister plot. The doomed marriage Raja and Sonam Raghuvanshi tied the knot on May 11 and left for their honeymoon in Meghalaya on May 20. Just three days into the trip, on May 23, the couple went missing. CCTV footage from their Shillong homestay showed them wearing black jackets and carrying a white suitcase. Raj, described as calm and composed, is now accused of orchestrating the murder of Sonam's husband, Raja Raghuvanshi, just days after their wedding. A suspicious trip During the couple's honeymoon in Meghalaya, Raja's brother Vipin grew suspicious after overhearing frequent phone calls between Govind and Raj. At the time, nothing seemed amiss. A phone conversation between Sonam Raghuvanshi and her mother-in-law on the day Raja Raghuvanshi was murdered has emerged as a chilling focal point in the police investigation. Sonam told her mother-in-law, Uma Raghuvanshi, that she would not break her 'Gyaras' fast just because they were away. When asked where Raja was, she replied, "Raja is walking ahead... his phone is in the bag, I'll get him to call you later." Coordinated killing Police claim Raj directed the murder remotely, instructing three childhood friends—Akash Rajput, Vishal Singh Chauhan, and Anand Kurmi—to carry out the killing while he remained behind. Trust betrayed Raj had long been seen as part of the Raghuvanshi family's inner circle—sharing meals and business ties. His alleged betrayal has left the family deeply shocked and devastated. Police allege Sonam and her lover, Raj Kushwaha, planned the murder days before the trip, hiring three men—Akash Rajput, Vishal Singh Chauhan, and Anand Kurmi—to execute the crime on the honeymoon in Meghalaya. The murder The assailants allegedly shadowed Raja and Sonam, using a rental car after arriving in Shillong on May 21. Sonam reportedly shared their live location with Raj, who stayed and coordinated remotely. In a forested area, the attackers tried to push Raja off a steep cliff. When that failed, they brutalized him with a machete (dao) carried for the purpose Witnesses and forensic evidence confirm Raja was struck multiple times with a machete—his autopsy showed at least two sharp wounds to the head—until he succumbed to the attack. Unfolding horror What was believed to be a traditional and respectful marriage quickly unraveled into a story of deception, manipulation, and murder—leaving a community stunned and a family in grief. According to police, Sonam watched the entire murder "coldly" without intervening. The coverup Investigators recovered the bloodstained machete near the gorge, a raincoat tied to Sonam's belongings, and Raja's missing jewellery—elements pointing toward a premeditated murder disguised as robbery. Sonam fled the scene soon after, resurfacing days later in Indore and UP. CCTV, phone records, and her travel route all suggest a planned escape—not a victimized bride. Sonam initially claimed unknown thieves attacked Raja during a robbery. but investigators countered this narrative using evidence like recovered valuables and her suspicious behavior. Sonam, Raj, and the three hired men have been arrested and charged. Authorities are probing deeper into the conspiracy—examining Sonam's role, motives, and whether the motive included Sonam's desire to leave Raja and be with Raj.
Time of India
10 minutes ago
- Time of India
'No remorse whatsoever': Gangster Goldy Brar's cold confession on Sidhu Moosewala murder; a rival gang angle
N EW DELHI: Canada-based gangster Goldy Brar justified killing popular Sidhu Moosewala by claiming that the popular Punjabi singer "had to face the consequences of his actions. " In a BBC documentary, it was revealed that Lawrence Bishnoi and Moosewala's relationship dated back a long time, and the dreaded gangster used to call the singer from jail, telling him he liked his music. "In his arrogance, he (Moosewala) made some mistakes that could not be forgiven," Brar told the BBC. "We had no option but to kill him. He had to face the consequences of his actions. It was either him or us. As simple as that," he added. Brar, who is also a member of Lawrence Bishnoi gang, said that the "first dispute" between Moosewala and Bishnoi began with a match of Kabaddi in a village in Punjab. Brar said that Moosewala had promoted the tournament which was organised by Bishnoi's rivals - the Bambiha gang. "That's a village our rivals come from. He was promoting our rivals. That's when Lawrence and others were upset with him. They threatened Sidhu and said they wouldn't spare him," Brar said. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Help abandoned elders today HelpAge India Donate Now Undo The dispute was resolved by an associate of Bishnoi Vicky Middukhera. Later, Middukhera was himself gunned down by gangsters in Mohali in August 2021, by which point, Bishnoi's hostility towards Sidhu Moosewala reached the point of no return. The Bambiha gang claimed responsibility for killing Middukhera. The police named Moosewala's friend and sometime manager Shaganpreet Singh on the charge sheet, citing evidence that Singh had provided information and logistical support to the gunmen. Singh later fled India and is believed to be in Australia. Moosewala denied any involvement. The Punjab police told the BBC there was no evidence linking Moosewala to the killing or any gang-related crime. But Moosewala was friends with Shaganpreet Singh, and he was never able to shake off the perception that he was aligned with the Bambiha gang — a perception that may have cost him his life. "Everyone knew Sidhu's role, the police investigating knew, even the journalists who were investigating knew. Sidhu mixed with politicians and people in power. He was using political power, money, his resources to help our rivals. We wanted him to face punishment for what he'd done. He should have been booked. He should have been jailed. But nobody listened to our plea," Brar said. "So we took it upon ourselves. When decency falls on deaf ears, it's the gunshot that gets heard. Law. Justice. There's no such thing," he says. "Only the powerful can... (obtain) justice, not ordinary people like us," he added. He went on to say that even Vicky Middukhera's brother, despite being in politics, has struggled to get justice through India's judicial system. "He's a clean guy. He tried hard to get justice for his brother lawfully. Please call him and ask how that's going. I did what I had to do for my brother. I have no remorse whatsoever," he said. Shubhdeep Singh Sidhu, popularly known as Sidhu Moosewala, was shot dead in Punjab's Mansa district on May 29. He was killed when he, along with his friend and cousin, was travelling in a jeep to Jawahar Ke village in Mansa. Six shooters waylaid and sprayed bullets at him. After the killing, Goldy Brar, who is a member of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang, claimed responsibility for the act. According to the chargesheet filed in the Moosewala murder case, Goldy coordinated with the shooters and plotters, including Bishnoi and Bhagwanpuria. He allegedly arranged weapons, cash, cars, phones, mobile SIMs and shelters for the accused.
Time of India
17 minutes ago
- Time of India
Not just history, physics or commerce: Delhi University to teach about heartbreaks, Tinder, red flags and toxic relationships
Delhi University will introduce a new course called Negotiating Intimate Relationships starting from the 2025-26 academic session. The course aims to help undergraduate students navigate complex emotional experiences such as friendship, love, jealousy and break-ups. The Department of Psychology will conduct this course, which will be open as a general elective to students across all disciplines, a TOI report stated. Response to rising concerns over toxic relationships The university decided to offer this course in response to increasing cases of crimes linked to failed or toxic relationships among teenagers and young adults. Multiple high-profile incidents involving toxic relationships have raised questions about the emotional awareness of young adults. From the Shraddha Walkar case in 2022 to more recent Sonam Raghuvanshi , the lack of understanding around healthy boundaries and emotional management has come under scrutiny. In 2022, Shraddha Walkar was killed and dismembered by her live-in partner Aftab Poonawala in Delhi. In May 2025, Raja Raghuvanshi was found dead in Meghalaya. His wife, Sonam Raghuvanshi, later confessed to his murder. In another case in Meerut, a young woman named Muskan was allegedly murdered by her partner under circumstances pointing to emotional conflict and control. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Villa For Sale in Dubai Might Surprise You Villas in Dubai | Search ads Learn More Undo How the course is structured The four-credit course will be taught through three lectures and one tutorial every week. It is available to undergraduate students who have completed Class XII and studied introductory psychology. Divided into four units, the course covers topics such as friendship, love theories, warning signs of toxic relationships, and building healthy emotional bonds. One full unit is dedicated to identifying red flags like jealousy, intimate partner violence and romantic transgressions early in a relationship. Live Events A reaction to real-life incidents Several recent cases in Delhi involving young women murdered by their partners have raised concerns. Between late May and early June this year, three women—Komal (21), Vijaylaxmi (19), and Mehek Jain (18)—were killed by their partners, allegedly driven by jealousy. In one case, Komal was strangled and her body was dumped in the Chhawla canal. Vijaylaxmi was stabbed by her 20-year-old boyfriend, and Mehek was stabbed and then set on fire in a park. These incidents are not isolated. The 2022 Shraddha Walkar case also shocked the nation, where the 27-year-old woman was murdered by her live-in partner Aftab Poonawala, who dismembered and disposed of her body parts across Delhi. Experts say such crimes reflect a deeper issue. 'These aren't isolated crimes. These are symptoms of a deeply rooted inability to regulate emotions, amplified by constant online monitoring of partners. Without early emotional education, this cycle will only worsen,' said a psychologist who did not wish to be named. Inside the course structure The course is divided into four main units: The Psychology of Friendships and Intimate Relationships This unit covers how friendships develop, their effects on individuals, and how they evolve into romantic or long-term bonds. Understanding Love This section introduces theories like Sternberg's triangular theory of love and the two-factor theory. It also includes discussions on sexuality. Signs of Relationships Going Sour This part will help students identify early warning signs in relationships, including jealousy, romantic transgressions, break-ups, and intimate partner violence. Flourishing Relationships The final unit focuses on developing healthy families, relationship satisfaction, communication, and emotional support. Classroom conversations on films, Tinder and boundaries The course is designed to be interactive. Students will analyse their social media connections, take part in self-awareness exercises, and discuss common relationship challenges. Topics will include online dating experiences, forgiveness, and pop culture moments such as the portrayal of partner violence in Kabir Singh and idealised romance in Titanic. "Films reflect how love is often idealised or even normalised when it's toxic. But when analysed in a classroom, they can become powerful tools to deconstruct unhealthy patterns," said Latika Gupta, a faculty member at Delhi University. Gupta added: "If we want to prevent emotional harm, we will have to start having honest conversations early." She also said: "No one teaches how to handle rejection or set boundaries. If we learn this early, some of the tragedies wouldn't happen."
