Designer Aniksha Jaisinghani remanded to Mumbai Police custody till March 21 in FIR by Amruta Fadnavis

A Mumbai Court on Friday remanded designer Aniksha Jaisinghani to Mumbai police custody till March 21 in the first information report (FIR) registered against her by Amruta Fadnavis, wife of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Maharashtra Devendra Fadnavi, for allegedly offering a bribe of ₹1 crore for intervention in a criminal case..Additional Sessions Judge DD Almale passed the order today after hearing counsel for Mumbai Police and Jaisinghani. .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 conspiring against her..Chief Public Prosecutor Jaising Desai contended that the accused, Jaisinghani, wanted to use the public servant, who is the husband of the complainant.He contended that when the investigation was going on, the prosecution came across certain video clips and photographs which showed the manner in which a conspiracy was fixed by informant against the public servant.He pointed out that the videos were allegedly created to further blackmail and demand an addititional ₹10 crores. "The accused deliberately tried to fix and entrap the public servant" the PP contended. Desai argued that the Aniksha's father was also a co-accused in th case, who was absconding and he was also booked in 17 cases. Prosecution claimed that Jaisinghani was in touch with her father."This is not so simple matter. A thorough investigation has to be done. We want to see who all are connected to this and find if there is any political connection. Unless the person is remanded to political custody, it will be difficult to investigate. The police know that she would not be properly co-operating, so they have tried to find information from other sources." Desai said..Aniksha's lawyer informed the Court that out of 17 cases, 13 cases have been settled."They have not given notice under Section 41A of Code of Criminal Procedure, the FIR is of prior date. If they thought I will try to tamper with evidence, they could have apprehended then only. Why arrest me now? I am a law student, a lady. Am I in custody only because there are cases against my father? I am not an accused in any case", the lawyer argued..Follow Bar and Bench channel on WhatsAppDownload the Bar and Bench Mobile app for instant access to the latest legal news.