A sessions court in Mumbai on Monday provided anticipatory bail to Sheetal Garje Andhale and Ajay Garje. They are the sister and brother of Anant Garje, who serves as the personal assistant to Maharashtra's Environment Minister, Pankaja Munde.
Background of the Case and Arrest
The legal proceedings stem from a tragic incident on November 22. Anant Garje's wife, Dr. Gauri Garje (28), a dental surgeon at the prominent KEM Hospital, was found deceased at their residence in Worli's BDD chawl. The police alleged she died by suicide. Following this, Anant Garje was arrested on charges of abetment to suicide.
Defense Argument for the Siblings
Advocate Mangesh Deshmukh, representing the siblings, strongly argued for their innocence. He stated that Sheetal (36) and Ajay (29) have been falsely implicated in the case. The defense's core argument was that the First Information Report (FIR) filed by the police fails to show any direct or specific act of abetment or cruelty by the siblings that would constitute an offence under the new Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
Deshmukh emphasized a crucial point: at the time of the incident, the siblings did not reside with the victim, Dr. Gauri Garje. He further submitted that there is no medical report, previous complaint, or witness statement that connects his clients to any physical assault or cruelty. "All alleged acts relate only to the husband," Deshmukh told the court.
Allegations of Law Misuse
The defense also presented a broader contention often seen in matrimonial disputes. They argued that family members are frequently implicated primarily to exert pressure on the main accused, in this case, the husband. Advocate Deshmukh characterized this as a misuse of the law, suggesting the siblings were embroiled only due to the ongoing matrimonial dispute.
The court, after considering these submissions, granted anticipatory bail to Sheetal and Ajay Garje, shielding them from immediate arrest in connection with the case.
