JUDGEMENT :

1. Heard.

2. Admit.

3. This application raises a challenge to the order dated 15th March, 2022 of the learned Chief Judicial Magistrate, Gadchiroli, by which bail in terms of Section 437(6) of the Code of Criminal Procedure (‘Code’) has been rejected. Being aggrieved by the said rejection, the applicant (‘accused’) has invoked the inherent jurisdiction of this Court.

4. Briefly stated, at the instance of report lodged by District Irrigation Officer, Gadchiroli, the crime was registered against in all 13 persons for the offence punishable under Sections 420, 465, 467, 468, 471 read with Section 34 of the Indian Penal Code, involving deflection of government money to the tune of Rs. 2.86 crores. The applicant – Snehdip S/o Shriram Soni has been arraigned as accused No.1 alleging to be principal conspirator. Voluminous documents have been seized on account of fraud, forgery and cheating. A list of 100 witnesses has been sited in the charge-sheet. The applicant (accused No.1) has applied to the trying Magistrate for his release on bail in terms of Section 437(6) of the Code, which was rejected and impugned herein.

5. It is argued that the learned Magistrate seriously erred in ap