Bail for hotel owner in flesh trade case

Nagpur: Adhoc district judge MB Oza this week granted bail to hotel owner Chetan Katole after two women rescued from his premises during a raid by the crime branch's social service unit claimed not to know him, while confirming the roles of other accused.
During a raid at Katole's hotel, the police claimed to have found that the management was illegally supplying hookah to its customers and providing space for flesh trade. Two women from Punjab were also rescued.
Katole's counsel, Kailash Dodani and Anmol Goswami, argued that the police falsely implicated him and no evidence was found during the three-day police custody remand. The counsels also argued that Katole was framed by his rivals and would cooperate with the probe whenever required.
Additional public prosecutor Mahurkar opposed the bail application, stating that the offence is serious in nature and the investigation is at an initial stage. He argued that if the accused is released on bail, he will tamper with the prosecution witnesses and create obstruction in the investigation, coupled with the fact that the accused will help the absconding accused to remain at large. The court granted bail to Katole on furnishing a solvent surety of Rs50,000, on the condition that he should not commit a similar offence and will cooperate in the investigation.