Mumbai: The Bombay High Court has granted interim protection from arrest to a company’s ex-employee who filed a petition in 2024, seeking investigation into alleged financial fraud in structural repairs to Vashi railway station. He also sought action against the company’s chief managing director.Justice Sandesh Patil on May 19 granted interim relief to Shrikant Patil, 35, till the next hearing on June 23, allowing the prosecutor time to take instructions in the matter. He also directed that, in the event of arrest, Patil shall be released on a Rs 20,000 personal bond with one or two sureties in the like amount. He shall report to the investigating officer “as and when called upon.”Patil moved the vacation court apprehending arrest in respect of the Oct 17, 2025, FIR registered by Malad police station under IPC section for theft. The complaint was filed by Hemanshu Shah, CMD of Mahendra Realtors and Infrastructure Private Limited, which carried out structural repairs of Vashi station between 2018 and 2020. The FIR alleged that Patil stole documents from the company and filed the petition in HC. On May 6, the Dindoshi sessions court rejected his plea for anticipatory bail. Patil’s application said he is innocent and “a law-abiding citizen, who is a whistleblower.” He is a permanent resident of Palghar district, has no criminal antecedents and is unlikely to tamper with evidence or abscond.Patil’s advocate Sariputta Sarnath reiterated he is merely a whistleblower and the complaint was filed to pressurise him to withdraw his petition. When Justice Patil asked whether the police wanted to arrest the “whistleblower,” the prosecutor sought time to take instructions as the IO was not present.Patil’s petition said that in 2016, he joined as a driver and was subsequently promoted to a sales executive. In June 2018, Cidco awarded the company a nearly Rs 28 crore contract for structural repairs and allied works. Patil alleged that Shah committed various illegalities under the work order. He also claimed Shah’s main objective was to “cheat” various public sector organisations and govt departments by falsifying documents, forging valuable securities, etc, thereby causing wrongful gain to himself. Patil claimed his services were terminated as he was not supporting the illegal activities.
