AdhivaktaVani

The Supreme Court has granted bail to a nearly 60 year old woman accused of cheating multiple persons by falsely projecting herself as a lawyer practising before the Apex Court, setting aside a Bombay High Court order that had denied her regular bail. The ruling underscores the Court’s emphasis on prolonged incarceration and trial delays in cases involving non-heinous offences.

The case arises from allegations that the accused misrepresented herself as a qualified advocate and collected large sums of money from individuals by promising legal relief. She was arrested in connection with a 2020 FIR registered in Mumbai for offences of cheating and criminal breach of trust. The prosecution alleged that she duped several victims, including builders, by assuring representation before courts and demanding substantial fees, despite not being enrolled as a lawyer.

While the State opposed bail, arguing deliberate impersonation and multiple victims, the defence pointed to her age, extended time in custody, and the slow pace of trial proceedings.

A Bench of Justice B.V. Nagarathna and Justice Ujjal Bhuyan held that continued detention was not warranted in the circumstances. The Court noted that the appellant had already spent over two years in custody, the trial was progressing sluggishly, and the alleged offences carried a maximum sentence of seven years.

Observing that these factors weighed in favour of liberty, the Bench concluded that “a case for grant of bail is made out,” and directed that she be released on bail on conditions to be fixed by the trial court, with a clear warning that any misuse of liberty would invite cancellation.