J Kaleel Rahman v. State Of Maharashtra And ANR.

by SHAGUFTA QUTBUDDIN PATHAN Date:

2023.12.12 15:07:33 +0530 SHAGUFTA QUTBUDDIN PATHAN

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY

CRIMINAL APPELLATE JURISDICTION CRIMINAL APPEAL NO. 929 OF 2023 J. Kaleel Rahman ...Appellant

Versus

The State of Maharashtra & Anr.

...Respondents

Ms. Lakshmi Raman for the Appellant Ms. P. P. Shinde, A.P.P for the Resondent No.1-State Ms. A. S. Pai, Spl. P.P for the Respondent No.2-NIA CORAM : REVATI MOHITE DERE & GAURI GODSE, JJ.

MONDAY , 11 th DECEMBER 2023 P.C :

At the outset, Ms. Pai, learned Special P.P appearing for the respondent No.2-NIA states that the trial of the appellant has already commenced and that the prosecution, till date, has examined 12 witnesses and that the prosecution intends to 1/3

examine 25 more witnesses. She further states that this is the second bail application preferred by the appellant, the first bail application of the appellant having been rejected on merits and the same having been confirmed by the Apex Court. Learned counsel for the appellant does not press this application on merits, considering that the Court is inclined to expedite the trial of the appellant.

Since the trial has commenced and till date, 12 witnesses are examined, the learned Judge to conclude the trial as expeditiously as possible and preferably within 18 months from the date of receipt of this order.

Learned counsel for the appellant as well as the Officer of the NIA to place our order before the learned Judge, so as to apprise the learned Judge of the same.

We make it clear that we have not heard the appeal 2/3

on merits and as such, all contentions of all the parties on merits are kept open. The learned Judge to decide the case on its own merits.

The appeal is disposed of on the aforesaid terms. GAURI GODSE, J.

REVATI MOHITE DERE, J.

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