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Bombay High Court Rules EOW’s Arrest of Anchor Group Director Illegal and Orders His Release

The High Court found that the Economic Offences Wing breached constitutional arrest rules by registering a post-midnight FIR; issuing a Look Out Circular; failing to produce Shah before a magistrate within 24 hours.

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Bombay High Court.
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Overview

  • The bench declared Hemang Shah’s May 17 airport arrest illegal and directed his immediate release from Arthur Road Jail.
  • Justices Gauri V Godse and Somasekhar Sundaresan criticized the EOW for registering the FIR at 2:14 am on May 14 in ‘unholy haste.’
  • Shah was held for nearly 30 hours before being produced in court, violating his rights under Article 22(2) of the Constitution.
  • Court-reviewed chat messages indicated the arrest aimed to pressure Shah into settling a disputed family claim.
  • The FIR stemmed from allegations by brother Mehul Shah that Hemang misappropriated proceeds from Anchor Electricals’ 2007 sale between 2020 and 2025.