IPS officer seeks Bombay High Court to quash FIR against her over forgery case

Indian Police Service (IPS) officer Bhagyashri Navtake, who has been named in an FIR filed in Pune, has approached the Bombay High Court, seeking to have the case quashed. In her plea, Navtake also requested urgent protection due to what she described as a “strong apprehension of harm,” pointing to the involvement of “influential people” in the case.

Navtake’s Plea: A Response to Serious Allegations
Filed by her advocate, Manoj Nayak, the petition argues that the FIR against her is “vague and illegal” and violates the principles of natural justice. Navtake contends that she was not given an opportunity to explain the allegations made against her. The plea further challenges the legal basis for some of the charges, asserting that they are unsubstantiated.

The FIR against Navtake stems from a Crime Investigation Department (CID) report accusing her of procedural lapses during her time as the head of the Special Investigation Team (SIT) of the Economic Offence Wing (EOW) of the Pune Police. Navtake led the investigation into a major financial fraud involving the Bhaichand Hirachand Raisoni Credit Society, a scam estimated at ₹1,200 crore.

The Alleged ₹1,200 Crore Scam
The case, which dates back to 2020, saw three separate complaints being filed at different police stations — Alandi, Deccan, and Shikrapur — all linked to the financial mismanagement at the Bhaichand Hirachand Raisoni Credit Society. The accused in these cases allege that Navtake used her influence to pressurise officers from Pimpri-Chinchwad and Pune Rural Police to register cases against them.

The Pune Police subsequently filed charges of forgery and criminal conspiracy against Navtake, based on the CID’s findings. These charges include allegations of exerting undue influence and improper conduct during her investigation of the scam.

Navtake’s Defence
In her petition, Navtake maintains that the cases against her were motivated by individuals with vested interests, and claims that the CID inquiry was initiated without the accused exploring alternative legal remedies, such as seeking intervention through a tribunal. Navtake has consistently argued that the charges are without merit and appear to have been instigated by those implicated in the scam.

Request for Quashing the FIR and Urgent Protection
The plea focuses on two main requests. Firstly, Navtake is seeking the quashing of the FIR, contending that the charges lack specificity and credibility. She argues that the accusations have not been substantiated by concrete evidence, making the case against her baseless. Secondly, due to the sensitive nature of the case and the involvement of influential individuals, Navtake has requested immediate protection, expressing fears for her safety.

High Court Hearing Scheduled for September 25
Navtake’s petition has been listed for a hearing before a bench of Justices AS Gadkari and Neela Gokhale on September 25. The urgency of the situation, as highlighted in the petition, is expected to be a key factor during the proceedings.

As the case unfolds, it could have far-reaching implications not only for Navtake but also for the broader context of investigations into economic crimes in India. If the High Court rules in her favour, it may lead to significant questions about the conduct of the CID inquiry and the legal processes involved in high-profile investigations.