Bombay High Court denies bail in fraud case

The Bombay High Court has denied bail to a bank employee in a fraud case involving Rs 46.5 lakh. The court stated that returning the money does not erase the crime. The accused, Sheetal Deshmukh, a bank staffer, admitted her guilt. The court noted that her actions harmed poor customers, including local shopkeepers and villagers. The case was brought to light after an audit at Sadhana Sahakari Bank in Maharashtra. The manager reported that Deshmukh issued fake receipts and improperly closed fixed deposits to steal money from clients. Although she later returned the money with interest, the court emphasized that this does not change the fact that a crime was committed. Deshmukh applied for bail, arguing she needed to care for her child. However, the court ruled that her husband could look after their child while she remains in custody. The judge pointed out that Deshmukh had previously admitted her wrongdoing in a handwritten letter. The court expressed concern that Deshmukh could interfere with the investigation if released. The high court found no merits in her bail request and upheld the decision to keep her in custody, citing the need for further investigation into the case.