The Bombay High Court has ordered a branch of HDFC Bank in Satara to provide CCTV footage from December 9, 2024, in connection with a bribery case involving District and Sessions Judge Dhananjay Nikam. The footage is believed to contain evidence that could support the prosecution’s claim of an incriminating conversation between the accused judge and the complainant while they were traveling in a car towards the bank.
Dhananjay Nikam has been charged by the State Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) for allegedly accepting a Rs.5 lakh bribe in exchange for granting bail in a cheating case. The ACB’s investigation claims that two intermediaries, Kishor Sambhaji Kharat from Mumbai and Anand Mohan Kharat from Satara, approached the complainant and demanded the bribe on Nikam’s behalf.
Nikam, however, denies the accusations and asserts that he is being falsely implicated. In his anticipatory bail petition, he argued that the First Information Report (FIR) lacks evidence of any direct demand or acceptance of the bribe. He also stated that he had no knowledge of the meetings between the complainant and the intermediaries. Nikam further claimed that he was on leave or deputation during the relevant dates and had not issued any bail orders at the time. He denied avoiding the hearing or making any promises of favorable orders.
The accused judge had requested a copy of the CCTV footage while seeking anticipatory bail. However, HDFC Bank informed the court that it could not release such confidential information without a court order.
On January 15, 2025, Justice NR Borkar directed the HDFC Bank branch in Mutha Colony, Satara, to provide the requested footage. The footage must be handed over to the accused judge within one week of receiving the court order.
The court’s order reads, “Considering the facts and circumstances of the case, the HDFC Bank, Mutha Colony, near Civil Hospital Sadar Bazar, at Satara shall provide CCTV footage dated 9.12.2024 to the applicant within a period of one week from the date of receipt of copy of this order.” The court will hear the case again on January 27, 2025.
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