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Bombay High CourtABA/204/2025application allowed

Bharat Gorakshanath Kagade v. The State Of Maharashtra And Another

2025-02-25Hon'Ble Shri Justice Arun R. Pedneker2 pages

2025:BHC-AUG:5279 ABA 204/25

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY

BENCH AT AURANGABAD 955 ANTICIPATORY BAIL APPLICATION NO. 204 OF 2025 BHARAT GORAKSHANATH KAGADE

VERSUS

THE STATE OF MAHARASHTRA AND ANOTHER ...

Advocate for Applicant : Mr. Shekade Shashikant E. APP for Respondents 1 & 2 : Mr. A.A.A. Khan ...

CORAM :

ARUN R. PEDNEKER, J.

DATE :

25.02.2025 PER COURT :

1.

Heard learned counsel for the applicant and the learned APP for the respondents-State.

2.

The applicant is apprehending arrest in connection with Crime No. 222/2024 dated 27.12.2024 registered with Amalner Police Station, District Beed for the offences punishable under sections 123, 223, 274, 275, 3(5) of B.N.S. 2023.

3.

This Court has granted interim protection to the applicant by order dated 11.2.2025. This Court, by order dated 14.11.2024 passed in ABA No.1670 of 2024 at para no. 3 has observed as under : "3] Considering the judgment of this Court in the case of Gaurav Jayantbhai Hapani Vs. The State of Maharashtra in Anticipatory Bail Application No.3406 of 2022, decided on 19.01.2023 and also the order passed by the Hon'ble Supreme Court in the case of Eknath Bhalchandra Patil Vs. The State of Maharashtra in Petition (s) for Special Leave to Appeal (Cri.) No. 8698/2023, decided on 28.07.

2023, wherein in identical fact situation, the Hon'ble Supreme Court so also this Court in the above noted judgments has observed that applicability of Section 328 of Indian Penal Code [123 of the Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita] is doubted in the case of seizure of tobacco and tobacco products including Gutkha and anticipatory bail has been granted. In the instant case also, except Section 123 of the Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita, all other offences are bailable and the same is not disputed by the learned APP and the matter pertains to seizure of tobacco and tobacco products including Gutkha."

ABA 204/25 4.

The law stated in the aforesaid order would also apply to the instant case. It is informed that except Section 123 of the Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita, all other offences are bailable.

5.

In view of the above, the application is allowed and the interim protection granted on 11.2.2025 is confirmed on the following terms : i] The applicant shall attend the concerned Police Station as and when called by the Investigating Officer.

ii] The applicant shall not tamper with the evidence of the prosecution in any manner. He shall not influence the informant, witnesses and other persons concerned with the case. iii] The applicant shall co-operate with the investigation and also in the proceedings before the trial Court.

6.

In the event, the applicant violates any of the conditions specified in this order, it shall be liable to be cancelled. 7.

It is also clarified that the observations made in this order are limited to the disposal of the present anticipatory bail application and the trial Court shall proceed further in the matter without being influenced by the observations made hereinabove.

8.

The application stands disposed of.

[ARUN R. PEDNEKER, J.] ssc/