Manisha Gautam v. State of GNCT of Delhi

Delhi High Court · 07 Jul 2026 · 2026:DHC:5410
Girish Kathpalia
BAIL APPLN. 544/2026
2026:DHC:5410
criminal appeal_allowed

AI Summary

The Delhi High Court granted anticipatory bail to five women accused in a forgery and cheating case, considering their cooperation with the investigation and bail granted to co-accused.

Full Text
Translation output
BAIL APPLNS. 544/2026, 553/2026, 556/2026, 557/2026 & 588/2026
HIGH COURT OF DELHI
Date of Decision: 07.07.2026
BAIL APPLN. 544/2026
MANISHA GAUTAM .....Petitioner
Through: Mr. Bibek Tripathi, Mr. Y. Lokesh and Mr. Arun Singh, Advocates.
VERSUS
STATE OF GNCT OF DELHI .....Respondent
Through: Mr. Amit Ahlawat, APP for State with SI Rajnish.
BAIL APPLN. 553/2026
SANDESH KUMARI .....Petitioner
VERSUS
BAIL APPLN. 556/2026
GOMATI DEVI .....Petitioner
Date: 2026.07.07 17:24:40 +05'30'
BAIL APPLN. 557/2026
SANDHYA .....Petitioner
VERSUS
BAIL APPLN. 588/2026
REKHA .....Petitioner
VERSUS
CORAM: JUSTICE GIRISH KATHPALIA
JUDGMENT
(ORAL)

1. The accused/applicants seek anticipatory bail in case FIR NO. 320/2023 of Police Station Greater Kailash, South Delhi for offence under Section 419/420/448/465/467/468/471/120B IPC. Date: 2026.07.07 17:24:55 +05'30'

2. At the outset, learned APP for State assisted by IO/SI Rajnish submits in all fairness that there is nothing to oppose these five anticipatory bail applications filed by the ladies of immediate family of co-accused Arun Gautam, who has already been granted bail. It is further disclosed that all the present accused/applicants have been joining the investigation.

3. Broadly speaking, the relevant circumstances are that the complainant de facto lodged a police complaint alleging that the subject immovable property was owned by his mother Smt. Rajkumari, who never sold the same to anyone. At the same time, co-accused Sonia Jain also filed a complaint alleging that Smt. Rajkumari had sold the subject immovable property to her by way of a registered Sale Deed dated 08.04.2022. The investigation revealed that the registered Sale Deed dated 08.04.2022 was a document forged by accused Sonia Jain. The allegation against the present accused/applicants is that through Arun Gautam, member of their family, they received money from Sonia Jain and vacated the subject immovable property.

4. Learned counsel for accused/applicants contends that all the applicants are ladies. The accused/applicants Manisha Gautam, Sandhya and Rekha are sisters of Arun Gautam while accused/applicants Gomati Devi and Sandesh Kumari are respectively the mother and wife of Arun Gautam. It is further submitted by learned counsel that all remaining accused persons, including Sonia Jain have already been released on bail. Date: 2026.07.07 17:25:11 +05'30'

5. Considering the overall circumstances as described above, I find no reason to deprive the accused/applicants liberty.

6. The bail applications are allowed and it is directed that in the event of their arrest, the accused/applicants shall be released on bail, subject to each of them furnishing a personal bond in the sum of Rs. 10,000/- with one surety each in the like amount to the satisfaction of the IO/SHO. However, it is directed that as and when directed by the IO in writing, the accused/applicants shall join investigation.

GIRISH KATHPALIA (JUDGE) JULY 07, 2026