Special Correspondent
Pune: Judicial Magistrate First Class Akshi Jain has denied bail to Sachin Suresh Bhise, the accused in the extortion case linked to a Maval-based rehabilitation centre. Bhise, a resident of Wakad, along with five others, was accused of demanding Rs 70 lakh from a psychiatrist operating the rehabilitation centre. This extortion followed a tragic incident where a youth undergoing treatment at the facility took his own life on August 6, 2024.
According to the complainant, Bhise and his associates threatened to rally 2,000 people to protest against the centre unless the money was paid. Additionally, Bhise had already extorted Rs 3 lakh from the complainant and threatened to falsely implicate him in a case if the payment was not made.
Bhise, who is currently in judicial custody, applied for bail, but Assistant Public Prosecutor Amar Nanavare strongly opposed the application. Nanavare highlighted that Bhise had exploited the situation under the guise of a social organisation, and he has a history of involvement in four separate criminal cases. The prosecutor also expressed concerns about the possibility of Bhise tampering with evidence, pressuring witnesses, or absconding if granted bail, which could impede the ongoing investigation.
After hearing the arguments, the magistrate rejected Bhise’s bail request, citing the need for further investigation into the extorted amount and potential risk of witness intimidation.
