JUDGEMENT

1. Heard Mr. Rizwan Merchant along with Mr. Gaurish Agni, Mr. Ramiz Shaikh, Mr. Nihal Kamat, Mr. Harshil Gandhi and Mr. Kishan Kavlekar, learned Advocates for the Petitioner; Mr. Shailendra Bhobe learned Public Prosecutor along with Mr. Nikhil Vaze, Additional Public Prosecutor for Respondent Nos. 1 and 2; Mr. Shivan Desai along with Mr. Varun Bhandanker and Ms. Maria Viegas, learned Advocates for the Respondent No.3 in WPCR (F) No.618/2024 and Mr. Parag Rao along with Mr. Akhil Parrikar, Ms. Sowmya Drago and Mr. Ajay Menon, learned Advocates for Respondent No.3 in WPCR(F) No. 619/2024

2. Both these petitions are taken up together as it raises the same grounds and the prayers in connection with two anticipatory bail applications filed by the Respondents arising out of the same First Information Report (FIR).

3. Rule.

4. Rule is made returnable forthwith.

5. Both the matters are taken up for final disposal at the admission stage itself with the consent of the parties as it raises an important question regarding the interpretation of the new laws introduced by the Parliament which came into effect from 01.07.2024.

6. In the above petitions, the interpretation with regard to the p