Mumbai, India – July 24, 2025 – In a significant order from May 28, 2021, a Special Judge for the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in Greater Mumbai granted bail to Sanjay Sanap, an accused in a ₹30,000 bribery case, taking into account the near completion of the investigation and prevailing concerns related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Sanjay Sanap, also known as Sanju Sanap, a 47-year-old businessman residing in Ghatkopar, Mumbai, had sought his release on bail in connection with RC No. 0262021 A0008, registered with the CBI’s Anti-Corruption Branch (ACB) in Mumbai. He was accused of offenses punishable under Section 120 of the Indian Penal Code (criminal conspiracy) read with Section 7A of the Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Act, 2018 (taking undue advantage to influence a public servant by corrupt means).

According to the CBI’s case, Sanap allegedly demanded and accepted a bribe of ₹30,000 from a complainant, with the intent to influence an “unknown public servant.” The offense was registered on May 21, 2021, and Sanap was arrested on the same day. The alleged bribe amount was subsequently recovered and seized by the investigating agency. Following his arrest, Sanap was initially remanded to police custody and later to judicial custody.

During the bail application hearing (Bail Application No. 460 of 2021), Mr. Sandeep Singh, the Special Public Prosecutor for CBI, strongly objected to Sanap’s release. He argued that if the accused were enlarged on bail, there remained a high probability of him hampering or tampering with prosecution witnesses.

However, Special Judge A.S. Sayyad, presiding over the matter, found the prosecution’s objections insufficient to deny bail. The court noted that the investigation in the case appeared to be “almost completed,” with the Investigating Officer already seeking judicial custody for the accused.

Crucially, the court took into consideration the wider public health situation prevalent at the time of the order. The judge observed the “Corona Virus is increasing” (referring to the COVID-19 pandemic wave in May 2021) and coupled this with the realization that the “trial of this case not likely to be concluded in near time.” The order stated that “in such situation, it would not proper to keep behind bar the accused for indefinite period.”

The judge further reasoned that the apprehension raised by the prosecution regarding witness tampering could be effectively addressed by imposing certain terms and conditions on the accused. The court concluded that considering the gravity and nature of the offense, and the punishment provided for it, no prejudice would be caused to the prosecution if Sanap was released on bail, subject to these conditions.

Bail Conditions Imposed

Sanjay Sanap was granted bail on his executing a Personal Recognizance (P.R.) bond of ₹30,000/- with one or two sureties of the like amount. A provisional cash bail of ₹30,000/- was also granted for a period of two months from the date of the order.

Among the stringent conditions imposed, Sanap is mandated to:

• Not directly or indirectly induce, influence, pressurize, threaten, or promise anyone acquainted with the case facts to dissuade them from disclosing information to the court or investigating agency.
• Not tamper with any prosecution evidence.
• Attend the concerned Police Station every Monday between 10:00 a.m. to 01:00 p.m. until the filing of the charge-sheet.
• Not commit any similar offense and not misuse the bail in any way.
• Furnish copies of his Aadhar card and all other permanent residence documents to the police.
• Not change his permanent residence and not leave the city of Mumbai without prior written permission from the court.

The court explicitly warned that any violation of these conditions would grant the prosecution the liberty to seek the cancellation of his bail.

The bail application was accordingly disposed of by the Special Judge on May 28, 2021.