Sessions Court rejects bail application of man siphoning money

The Sessions Court on Thursday rejected the anticipatory bail application (ABA) of an ex-employee of a prominent media house who had allegedly cheated the company to the tune of Rs 15 crore. The court held that if the accused is granted bail it will be difficult for the police to show effective investigation.

The Criminal Intelligence Unit (CIU) of the Mumbai Police's crime branch had arrested 18 people for the offence on May 6.

According to the police, the media company hired various freelance writers who worked for them. The remuneration of the freelance writers was allegedly sanctioned by the kingpin of the racket, Amit Mayekar. It is alleged that Mayekar had shown at least 78 persons who worked as freelance writers. The police probe has revealed that most of these freelance writers do not even exist.

Police sources say that the remuneration for these writers ranged from Rs 25 lakh to Rs 30 lakh each. The money was transferred between 2013-2018 to the accounts of the 18 arrested.

Mayekar's lawyer, while arguing on the ABA, said that the informant (an editor with the same media organisation) in the case was the real culprit behind the entire scam and that every bill was passed under his supervision and signature. Mayekar also seeked protection from the court.

The court, however, pointed out to the defense that the allegation was against Mayekar and that he can not name the editor as one of the culprits.

The prosecution, too, opposed the application, saying that if the accused was not guilty, he would have approached the police and helped them with the investigation.