The Special CBI Court in Bengaluru has convicted Sri Lalit Bazad, an Enforcement Officer with the Directorate of Enforcement, for demanding and accepting a bribe of ₹5 lakh in connection with an investigation involving Apollo Finvest India Ltd.
The court, presided over by Sri Manjunath Sangreshi, Principal Special Judge for CBI cases, found the accused guilty under Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, and Section 384 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).
According to the CBI’s charge sheet, on January 28 and 29, 2021, Mikhil Innani (Managing Director of Apollo Finvest), along with his wife and cousin, visited the Enforcement Directorate (ED) office in Bengaluru. They were summoned in connection with ECIR No. 3/2021. During their visit, Lalit Bazad allegedly demanded a bribe of ₹50 lakh to “close” the matter concerning their company and avoid any legal action.
Despite Innani’s reluctance, Bazad continued to pressure the executive, threatening that the case could be dragged on for at least a decade, potentially ruining the reputation and operations of Apollo Finvest.
Eventually, on February 9, 2021, ₹5 lakh was paid as part of the alleged extortion. The transaction took place at Levels Pub and Kitchens in J.P. Nagar, Bengaluru, where the money was delivered by Manavendra Bhati on behalf of Innani and handed over to a valet, who later placed it in the dashboard of Bazad’s car.
The case was formally reported on June 1, 2021, and Bazad was arrested on June 9. After spending just over two months in custody, he was granted bail on August 11, 2021. The charge sheet was filed under Section 7 of the PC Act (dealing with public servants taking gratification) and Section 384 IPC (extortion).
The court heard testimony from 19 prosecution witnesses and examined 32 documentary exhibits, including CCTV footage from the pub, statements under Section 164 CrPC, and the ₹5 lakh cash delivery trail. The court particularly noted the credibility of witnesses including valet staff and the intermediary, as well as corroboration from CCTV footage.
Bazad’s defense contested the case on multiple grounds, notably the validity of the prosecution sanction under Section 19 of the PC Act and a claimed delay in registering the FIR. However, the court ruled that the sanction—granted by Sudha Koka, Commissioner of GST and Central Excise, Chennai—was valid and legally sound. It also observed that delay in FIR registration did not vitiate the prosecution case, especially since it stemmed from internal investigative leads and source-based intelligence.
The court affirmed that the prosecution had valid sanction to prosecute the accused. The demand and acceptance of Rs. 5 lakh were proven beyond reasonable doubt. Lalit Bazad abused his position as a public servant to extract an undue advantage and thereby committed extortion under Section 384 IPC.
The court convicted Lalit Bazad under Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 – for accepting a bribe as a public servant and Section 384 of the Indian Penal Code – for extortion.
The sentence is expected to be pronounced in the coming days, following arguments on the quantum of punishment.
Case Details
Case Title: The State by CBI/ACB Versus Lalit Bazad
Case No.: Spl.C.C.No.9 /2022
Date: 25/07/2025
Counsel For Petitioner: Senior Public Prosecutor
Counsel For Respondent: Sanket M. Yenagi
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