Mumbai, Mar 25 (PTI) A special court in Mumbai has denied bail to Pune businessman Amit Thepade in a Rs 117-crore money laundering case, ruling economic offences are "a serious threat to the financial health of the country".

The court emphasised that statements recorded under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) provided a "formidable case" against the accused.

There is "sufficient material" connecting Thepade, arrested seven months ago, to the offence of money laundering, special PMLA court judge R B Rote noted while rejecting the businessman's bail plea on March 20.

Economic offences are "a serious threat to the financial health of the country," the judge noted.

Thepade, director and promoter of Galaxy Construction and Contractors Pvt Ltd (GCCPL) and Mitsom Enterprises Pvt Ltd (MEPL), was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on August 24, 2025.

The ED case against him stemmed from a CBI First Information Report (FIR) filed in 2022, which alleged that Thepade and his associates used fraudulent means to obtain and enhance credit facilities for his companies from state-run Canara Bank in Pune.

Defence lawyer Mithilesh Mishra contended that the businessman had mortgaged immovable properties to obtain a loan and returned a part of the amount.

He argued that the loan sanctioned to the applicant had been secured and the dispute was essentially a civil matter regarding repayment.

The ED, represented by public prosecutor Arvind Aghav, contended the accused had mortgaged the properties which had already been sold to third parties.

The prosecution pointed out that after the loan turned NPA (Non-Performing Asset) and the bank wanted to take possession of the mortgaged properties -- two flats -- it was revealed they were already sold to someone else.

The court, after considering the arguments, noted that Thepade had returned Rs 26 crore towards interest over the credit facilities.

It, however, said "merely because the applicant has deposited certain amounts towards the interest, it does not mean that the applicant has been discharged from the criminal liability." At this stage, there is no explanation in respect of the double mortgaging of flats, the judge underlined.

"Therefore, considering the gravity, seriousness and magnitude of the offence, the major role of the applicant and the interest of the society, the applicant is not entitled to the grant of bail," the court ruled. PTI AVI RSY GK

Money laundering bail refusal highlights serious economic offences, sufficient PMLA material, and unresolved double mortgage allegations. Bail was refused in a money laundering prosecution under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act where the court found sufficient material linking the accused to the offence and treated the recorded PMLA statements as forming a formidable case. The court observed that economic offences pose a serious threat to the financial health of the country and that the gravity, seriousness and magnitude of the alleged conduct, along with the accused's major role, weighed against release on bail. Partial repayment did not discharge criminal liability, and the absence of an explanation for the alleged double mortgage remained relevant at the bail stage.