Appeal allowed — ruling in favour of Rhythm Arvind Goyal and Tanay Jitendra Shah (Petitioners)
In Short
This case involved multiple criminal complaints stemming from a late-night argument inside a workplace lift that turned violent and resulted in a tragic personal loss for the female complainant. After spending months behind bars, the accused individuals and the complainant reached an amicable out-of-court settlement and jointly requested the court to quash the criminal cases so everyone could move on. The High Court considered the voluntary settlement and the desire of the parties to bury the hatchet, though the state strongly opposed letting the accused walk free given the gravity of the incident.
The Parties
Party A: Rhythm Arvind Goyal, Tanay Jitendra Shah, Amrina M. Fernandes @ Amrina Zaveri, Valentine Fransico Silveira, and Hemlata Aditya Patkar @ Hemlata Bane @ Bane (Petitioners and Accused)
Party B: The State of Maharashtra and respective Complainants
Advocates & Judges
For Party A: Learned Advocate Mr. Abad Ponda, Learned Advocate Mr. Shivamsinh Deshmukh, Learned Advocate Mr. Dwarkesh B. Chavda, Learned Advocate Mr. Meghashyam Kocharekar, Learned Advocate Mr. Bahraiz Irani, Learned Advocate Mr. Shane Santos, Learned Advocate Mr. Amit Padwal, Learned Advocate Mr. Anosh Irani, Learned Advocate Ms. Afrin Dalal, Learned Advocate Ms. Aafreen Bano, Learned Advocate Mr. Prabhakar B. Parse, and Learned Advocate Mr. Chetan Gogawale
For Party B: Learned Advocate Mr. Shishir S. Hiray, Learned Advocate Mr. Yogesh M. Nakhwa, Learned Advocate Mr. Akash Waghmare, Learned Advocate Mr. Rupesh Patil, and Learned Advocate Mr. Arun Thorat
Judge(s): Hon'ble Justice Milind N. Jadhat
What the Case Was About
The matter arose from a late-night altercation inside an office lift in Mumbai where a verbal scuffle broke out after one of the men pointed a laser light at a female occupant. The argument escalated into a physical fight involving blows and intervention by the liftman, leaving the woman injured and deeply traumatized. Days later, she suffered a medical miscarriage, leading to serious criminal charges against the young men involved and multiple interconnected police complaints filed by various persons.
Judgment Date
11 September 2026
The Outcome
The court accepted the settlement reached between the main parties and quashed the pending criminal proceedings, allowing the accused petitioners to be released from custody.
What the Court Looked At
- The court noted that multiple linked First Information Reports and cross-complaints were filed between the warring groups following the lift incident.
- The court observed that the primary complainant personally appeared in court and filed sworn consent affidavits stating she wished to settle the matter amicably.
- The court acknowledged the state prosecutor's passionate argument that an assault causing the loss of an unborn life is a grave crime against society that should not be easily pardoned.
- The court considered the complainant's clear statement that the original fight was an impulsive, immature act born out of high emotions in the heat of the moment without any prior planning.
"What happened in the heat of the moment between us in the lift, on wiser thinking and peaceful deliberation, can be attributed to an impulsive act of immaturity committed without any intention of doing the same."
What This Means For You
This case serves as a stark warning about how quickly a silly, petty argument—like shining a laser light in a public lift—can escalate into a violent brawl, criminal charges, and months spent trapped behind bars. The accused individuals found their lives completely upended because a momentary loss of temper spiraled into catastrophic police cases and severe legal jeopardy. If you ever find yourself caught in a heated verbal dispute in a public space, walk away immediately instead of engaging, because letting your ego take over can land you in a criminal courtroom facing lifelong consequences. Setback Solutions is here to help you understand your options and coordinate your next steps with plain-language guidance when life takes an unexpected legal turn.
You Still Have Options
If you or someone in your family is currently facing a false FIR, stuck in jail over a sudden street fight, or wondering how to resolve a bitter criminal case through a mutual settlement, please know that this is not the end of the road. You can still explore a second opinion, evaluate your legal representation, or seek non-judicial guidance to navigate your way forward. Reach out to Setback Solutions today to get clear, plain-language help in understanding your options and coordinating the next steps. Please remember that Setback Solutions is not a law firm, does not provide formal legal advice, and never guarantees specific court results.