Amruta Fadnavis extortion case: Mumbai Court grants bail to designer Aniksha Jaisinghani

A Mumbai court on Monday granted bail to designer Aniksha Jaisinghani, accused in the extortion case registered on complaint of Amruta Fadnavis, wife of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. .Sessions judge DD Almale passed the order today after hearing counsel for Mumbai police and Jaisinghani.Bail was granted subject to bail bond of ₹50,000 along with surety to be furnished. Jaisinghani was also directed to deposit her passport with the Court. The bail plea of Jaisinghiani's father Anil Jaisnighani, who is also an accused, is yet to be heard. .During the hearing today, Special Public Prosecutor Ajay Misar for Mumbai Police sought custody for five more days on account of massive communication between accused and her father."During the course of investigation, daughter was using a number and further investigation revealed that custodial interrogation is warranted. Husband of complainant is home minister so whether there is political connection, that has to be checked. 5 more days custody be granted," he argued.Senior Advocate Mrigendra Singh appearing for Aniksha Jaisinghani argued that, there was not reason for her to demand money from Amruta Fadnavis."They have imposed prevention of corruption act. How? And only criminal conspiracy. Then after my arrest they added 385. It took them this long to read the section. They wanted to interrogate her they have done it. They wanted to interrogate me with my father, they have done it. She is a young girl of 25 years, yet to be married, she has to take of younger brother," he said.SPP Misar further argued that, there are 14 offences against the accused. "This case is one of its kind, where a deputy cm’s wife has filed a complaint. Informant and accused no 1 met somewhere. First an offer is made of ₹1 crore, and there the ingredients of 8 and 12 of corruption act are fulfilled," he said.This would be a very premature level of granting bail. There are reports of investigation to be received. Considering the peculiar facts of the case, bail application at this juncture be rejected, SPP Misar further pleaded..Jaisinghani was booked after a complaint was filed against her by Amruta Fadnavis for allegedly offering a bribe of ₹1 crore for intervention in a criminal case.The Malabar Hill police station had registered a first information report (FIR) on February 20 against Singhani and his daughter Aniksha Singhani for threatening to make public, certain audio and video clips that would purportedly show Fadnavis accepting favours from Aniksha. Jaisinghani has been booked for offences under Section 120B (criminal conspiracy) and Section 385 (extortion) of the Indian Penal Code and Sections 8 (induce public servant using corrupt means) and 12 (abetment) of Prevention of Corruption Act.According to the FIR dated February 20, Fadnavis claimed that Aniksha, a designer, had been in touch with her for over 16 months since 2021.Fadnavis claimed to have met Aniksha for 16 subsequent meetings. She allegedly asked Fadnavis to wear products designed by her at public events, which Fadnavis agreed to do.She had visited her at the official residence of the deputy CM. She allegedly offered to provide Fadnavis with information on certain bookies through which both of them could earn money..Thereafter, she directly offered ₹1 crore to get Aniksha’s father off the hook in another police case. Fadnavis alleged that Aniksha sent video clips, voice notes, and messages from unknown phone numbers and was indirectly threatening and blackmailing her..The Court also heard Anil Jaisinghani's judicial custody plea.Senior Counsel Singh further informed that, Jaisinghnani is unable to use toilets in police custody and he is also getting murder threats.Court while clarifying that it is only dealing with custody with respect to Anil Jaisinghani remanded him to judicial custody for two weeks.Anil's bail plea will be heard of March 31.