The Bombay High Court has sought a reply from the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on a writ petition filed by the Bollywood Director Rakesh Roshan.

The petitioner was seeking the return of money amounting to Rs. 20 lakhs being recovered by the probe agency from the two men who defrauded him in the year 2011.

A Single Bench of Justice R.G. Avachat directed, “Issue notice to the Respondents, returnable on 22/02/2023. In addition, private service is permitted. Mr. Bharat Mirchandani, learned counsel waives service on behalf of Respondent No.1 - CBI.”

The Bench has posted the matter for hearing after the period of four weeks.

“Affidavit-in-reply, if any, to be filed on or before the next date. Stand over to 22/02/2023”, the Court said.

Advocate Prasanna Bhangale represented the petitioner while Advocate Bharat Mirchandani appeared on behalf of the respondents.

In this case, two persons posing as CBI officers threatened to issue arrest warrants against the petitioner and his son (actor) Hrithik Roshan and other family members in a payment case related to their home production named 'Kites'. During the investigation, the CBI recovered documents of 21 immovable assets and money amounting to Rs 2.94 crore from these men including Rs. 50 lakhs of the petitioner.

In October 2012, Rakesh Roshan filed an application seeking the return of his amount and thereafter, a special CBI Court partly allowed his application and granted a return of Rs 30 lakhs. Later on, he filed another application seeking a return of the remaining amount i.e., Rs 20 lakh. However, the court rejected his plea in December 2021. Hence, he approached the High Court against the Special Court's order.

The High Court after hearing this case has, therefore, listed the matter for hearing on February 22.

Cause Title- Rakesh Roshan v. The State (A.C.B./C.B.I.) and Ors.

Click here to read/download the Order

Bombay HCJustice R.G. AvachatRakesh RoshanFraudCBI

Swasti Chaturvedi