Hitesh Ranjit Punamiya v. The State Of Maharashtra

2023:BHC-AS:27745

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY

CRIMINAL APPELLATE JURISDICTION BAIL APPLICATION NO.2677 OF 2023 HITESH RANJIT PUNAMIYA ..APPLICANT VS.

THE STATE OF MAHARASHTRA ..RESPONDENT ------------ Adv. Swapnil Ambure for the applicant.

Ms. Veera Shinde, APP for the State.

Adv. Prajit Sahane for intervener.

PI Krishna Indalkar, EOW Pune, Vishrambaug Police Station, Pune.

------------ CORAM : M. S. KARNIK, J.

DATE : SEPTEMBER 20, 2023.

P.C. :

1.

Heard learned counsel for the applicant, learned APP for the State and learned counsel for complainant. 2.

This is an application for bail in respect of the offence punishable under Sections 409, 420, 464, 465, 467, 468, 471, 120-B read with 34 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860 (hereafter 'IPC' for short) registered on 04.07.2023 vide C.R. No.144 of 2023 with Vishrambaug Police Station, Pune. 3.

The FIR was lodged on 04.07.2023. It is the case of the first informant that she visited the Tanishq store 1/3

situated at Laxmi Road, Pune and bought ornaments worth Rs.4,14,61,997/-. She later realised that there is a fraud played upon her. There are in all eight accused. The applicant is the accused No.8. So far as the applicant is concerned, it is the accusation that some sums of money was handed over by the complainant to the accused No.1 who stated that the same is to be taken in the name of the present applicant that is accused No.8. The complainant is personally present in the Court and filed an affidavit stating that she has no objection for grant of bail to the applicant. The affidavit is taken on record and marked as Exhibit 'X' for identification. The complainant is identified by learned counsel appearing on her behalf.

4.

Learned APP while opposing the application for bail contending that the accusations are serious. The accusations are mainly against the accused Nos.1 to 7. 5.

Considering the nature of the accusations, in my opinion the applicant can be enlarged on bail. The investigation is complete. The charge-sheet has been filed. There are no criminal antecedents reported against the 2/3

applicant. The trial is likely to take a long time to conclude. Hence, the following order :-

O R D E R

(a) The application is allowed.

(b) The applicant-Hitesh Ranjit Punamiya in connection with C.R. No.144 of 2023 registered with Vishrambaug Police Station, Pune shall be released on bail on his furnishing P.R. Bond of Rs.50,000/- with one or more sureties in the like amount.

(c) The applicant is permitted to furnish cash bail surety in the sum of Rs.50,000/- for a period of six weeks in lieu of surety.

(d) The applicant shall not directly or indirectly make any inducement, threat or promise to any person acquainted with the facts of the case so as to dissuade him from disclosing the facts to Court or any Police Officer. The applicant shall not tamper with evidence. (e) On being released on bail, the applicant shall furnish his contact number and residential address to the Investigating Officer and shall keep him updated, in case there is any change.

(f) The applicant shall attend the trial regularly. 6.

The application is disposed of.

(M. S. KARNIK, J.) 3/3