Case Note & Summary
The petitioner, Vishnu Ramchandra Bhagwat, sought the clubbing of ten FIRs registered against him under various sections of the Indian Penal Code, 1860, the Maharashtra Protection of Interest of Depositors (in Financial Establishments) Act, 1999, and the Prize Chits and Money Circulation Schemes (Banning) Act, 1978. The FIRs were filed by various police stations in Maharashtra, alleging that the petitioner, as the Director and Promoter of three cooperative societies, accepted deposits from complainants with promises of high returns but failed to repay them. The petitioner argued that the complaints arose from a campaign of misinformation by a self-proclaimed RTI activist, Ganesh Kankal, who had attempted to extort money from him. The petitioner contended that the FIRs were based on identical allegations and that he had been granted bail in each case. The court noted that the allegations in all FIRs were substantially the same and that clubbing them would facilitate efficient justice. Citing several Supreme Court judgments, the court held that the FIRs should be tried together to avoid multiplicity of proceedings. The court directed the transfer of all cases to the court handling the first FIR and allowed the petitioner to bear the expenses for witnesses' travel and accommodation. The judgment was pronounced on October 22, 2026, and the court ordered the transfer process to be completed within 30 days.
Headnote
A) Criminal Procedure - Clubbing of FIRs - Transfer of multiple FIRs for common trial - Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973, Section 161 - The court allowed the clubbing of ten FIRs against the petitioner as they contained substantially similar allegations regarding non-repayment of deposits. The decision was based on the principle of efficient administration of justice and the need to avoid multiplicity of proceedings, following precedents set by the Supreme Court. Held that all FIRs should be tried together in one court (Paras 6-12).
Issue of Consideration
Whether multiple FIRs against the petitioner can be clubbed for a single trial due to identical allegations.
Final Decision
The court allowed the petition for clubbing the ten FIRs, directing that they be tried together in one court due to the identical nature of allegations. The court ordered the transfer of cases to the court handling the first FIR and directed that the process be completed within 30 days.
Law Points
- Clubbing of FIRs
- Efficient administration of justice
- Article 142 of the Constitution
- Similar allegations in FIRs
- Transfer of cases to a single court
