JUDGMENT :

Sunil B. Shukre, J.

1. Heard Mr. Ponda, learned Senior Advocate for the applicant-Hemant Banker and the petitioner-Meenakshi Banker, Ms. Pai, learned Public Prosecutor for the respondent no.1-State and Mr. Gaware-Patil for respondent no.2-original complainant.

2. For the sake of convenience, the applicant - Hemant Banker and the petitioner - Meenakshi Banker are hereinafter called as “the applicants” and Criminal Application No.488 of 2020 and Criminal Writ Petition No.1296 of 2023 are hereinafter referred to as “the applications”.

3. By these applications, the applicant – Hemant Banker, accused no.4 in Crime No.303 of 2020 registered at Worli Police Station, Mumbai and accused no.2 in FIR No.122 of 2020 registered by Anti-Extortion Cell, D.C.B., C.I.D., Mumbai, and other applicant – Meenakshi Banker, accused no.3 in Crime No.303 of 2020 registered at Worli Police Station, Mumbai and Wanted Accused in Crime No.122 of 2020 registered by the Anti- Extortion Cell, D.C.B., C.I.D., Mumbai, have sought quashing of both the FIRs and also quashing of the order dated 22nd September 2021 of the Joint Commissioner of Police (Crime), Mumbai granting approval under Section 23(1)(a) of th