Mumbai: The Bombay High Court has rejected the pre-arrest bail plea of hotelier Suresh Shetty in connection with a human trafficking and prostitution case registered at Kashigaon police station, Mira Road. Justice Rajesh Patil observed that Shetty has not cooperated with the investigation and is involved in a second similar offence involving minor victims.
After a brief hearing, Shetty’s counsel, Advocate Khyati Shah, sought permission to withdraw the application. However, the court denied the liberty, citing the seriousness of the allegations and documents on record.
“This is the second similar kind of crime registered against the present applicant,” noted Justice Patil. “I find no merit in the anticipatory bail application.”
According to the prosecution, the case stems from a raid conducted at Hotel Sai Residency in Mira Road, where four girls, including two minors, were rescued. The police arrested two persons, while Shetty, said to be the operator of Hotel Aqua and involved in Hotel Sai Residency, was shown as absconding.
“Three hotel staffers have named the applicant,” said APP Avinash Naik, adding that “Rs 25,000 was transferred from Hotel Sai Residency’s account to Shetty’s personal account on December 11, 2024.”
The court was also informed that Shetty had been summoned to the police station but left without cooperating. Statements recorded under Section 164 of CrPC and evidence found on the mobile phone of the hotel manager further linked Shetty to the alleged racket.
The High Court noted that several anticipatory bail applications arising from similar trafficking cases in the Mira Road area had recently been rejected. The Commissioner of Police is also expected to take action under Section 18 of the Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act within a week.
When Advocate Shah requested interim protection from arrest for two weeks, the court declined. “Considering the fact that there is no protection granted as of now, the request stands rejected,” Justice Patil said.
