<p>The <a href="https://www.mid-day.com/mumbai/mumbai-news/article/bombay-high-court-grants-anticipatory-bail-to-three-women-in-dindoshi-pocso-case-23657468" target="_blank" rel="none noopener">Bombay High Court</a> has declared the 2017 arrest of businessman Bipin Satish Chandra Agrwal unlawful, directing the Maharashtra government to pay him Rs 5 lakh in compensation.</p>
<p>The court found that a police sub-inspector colluded with developer Bhavesh Seth to implicate Agrwal in a false extortion case.&nbsp;</p>
<p>&ldquo;Justice is always served. Though these were the most terrible nine years of my life, I had faith in our judicial system,&rdquo; Agrwal told mid-day.</p>
<h2>Appeal planned</h2>
<p>Seth denied the allegations, claiming other complaints exist against Agrwal at his residence and workplace. &ldquo;We will file an appeal in <a href="https://www.mid-day.com/news/india-news/article/e100-vehicles-supreme-court-asks-centre-how-it-plans-to-meet-ethanol-demand-23657601" target="_blank" rel="none noopener">the Supreme Court</a> and challenge the HC order. I stand by my complaint. We have all proof of Agarwal demanding enormous amounts from us,&rdquo; he said.</p>
<h2>Officer denies</h2>
<p>Assistant Police Inspector Mahesh Lamkhade, who the HC ordered the state to suspend, denied any association with Seth. &ldquo;All my records are clear throughout my service. The state has also begun the process of appealing to the SC. I cannot say much because the case is still sub judice, but I have not done anything wrong.&rdquo;</p>
<h2>Stigma</h2>
<p>Agrwal noted that while the verdict removed the stigma attached to the FIR, the overall damage remains unaddressed. He added that he remains fully prepared to face any legal challenges if the developer and the State decide to approach the Supreme Court.</p>
<h2>Restricted life</h2>
<p><img src="https://images.mid-day.com/images/images/2026/oct/Bipin-Agrwal_1793312643_s.jpg" alt="" /></p>
<p><strong><em>Bipin Satish Chandra Agrwal, businessman</em></strong>&nbsp;<br />&ldquo;I fought my case on my own without the help of a lawyer. But living a life with an FIR associated with my name was much more difficult than standing in front of the judges and fighting my case. From social to professional to mental, I faced tremendous issues. People would use this information as a weapon to shut my mouth whenever there was a difference of opinion. I also faced many losses in my business once this fact spread. I missed several important occasions and business trips abroad as I could not fly out of the country. The loss is beyond this list.&rdquo;&nbsp;</p>
<h2>The dispute</h2>
<p>&gt;&gt; The case stems from the redevelopment of New Aarti Co-operative Housing Society in Andheri East</p>
<p>&gt;&gt; The incident dates back to August 4, 2017</p>
<p>&gt;&gt; Businessman Bipin Agrwal represented his 70-year-old mother-in-law, a flat owner in the society</p>
<p>&gt;&gt; Agrwal negotiated with developers Bhavesh Seth and Kamlesh Vora to sell the flat or secure a larger one in the redeveloped building, along with transit rent</p>
<h2>The trap</h2>
<p>&gt;&gt; Parties met at the developers&rsquo; Marine Lines office and agreed on a R1.64 crore sale price</p>
<p>&gt;&gt; Developers handed Agrwal Rs 2 lakh cash as a transaction advance</p>
<p>&gt;&gt; Minutes later, police arrived at the office, handcuffed Agrwal, and took him to Azad Maidan Police Station</p>
<p>&gt;&gt; An FIR was registered against him for extortion under Section 384 of the Indian Penal Code</p>
<h2>The defense</h2>
<p>&gt;&gt; Agrwal maintained the cash was a legitimate property advance, not extortion money</p>
<p>&gt;&gt; He alleged the developers framed him with help from a police sub-inspector to cover up redevelopment scams</p>
<h2>The verdict</h2>
<p>&gt;&gt; The Bombay High Court found serious inconsistencies in police records, including alterations in the arrest form and discrepancies in the timing of the FIR and arrest</p>
<p>&gt;&gt; The court also found no evidence that Agrwal had been given a genuine opportunity to comply with the statutory notice before his arrest</p>
<p>&gt;&gt; The court declared the arrest and subsequent detention unlawful and criticised the magistrate for authorising continued custody without recording adequate reasons</p>
<p>&gt;&gt; In its October 22, 2026, judgment, the court directed the Maharashtra government to pay Agrwal Rs 5 lakh in compensation&nbsp;</p>
<p>&gt;&gt; The court ordered action against the police and initiated a probe into the errant magistrate</p>

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