In Brief
The Supreme Court heard a batch of 16 criminal appeals by the Serious Fraud Investigation Office (SFIO) against accused persons involved in a massive fraud scheme centered on Adarsh Credit Cooperative Society, where over Rs. 1,700 crore was illegally loaned to controlled companies. The High Court had granted anticipatory bail to multiple accused despite non-bailable warrants and proclamation proceedings being initiated against them for serious economic offences under the Companies Act. The Supreme Court held that accused who create hindrances in warrant execution or conceal themselves are not entitled to anticipatory bail, particularly in serious economic crimes involving public funds. The Court allowed the appeals, set aside the High Court orders, and directed the accused to surrender within one week, emphasizing that "law aids only the abiding and not its resistants."
The lawyer headnote and full judgment text are available to registered users.