Pundalik Kareppa Ethnal v. State Of Maharashtra

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY

CIRCUIT BENCH AT KOLHAPUR CRIMINAL APPELLATE JURISDICTION CRIMINAL BAIL APPLICATION NO. 3410 OF 2025 Pundalik Kareppa Ethnal ...Applicant

Versus

The State of Maharashtra

...Respondent

.....

Mr. Kunal Patil i/by Mr. Asif Sarvar Mulla a/w Adv. Rajnandini Katkar for Applicant.

Ms. Veera Shinde, APP for the Respondent-State. .....

CORAM

:

SHIVKUMAR DIGE, J.

DATE :

1st OCTOBER 2025 P.C.

1.

By this application, applicant is seeking regular bail in Crime No.46 of 2025 registered with Kodoli Police Station, District Kolhapur for the offences punishable under Sections 406, 420, 471, 474, 467, 468, r/w Section 34 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 (for short "BNS").

2.

It is prosecution's case that the applicant and co-accused took the amount from the first informant on the promise of providing him job in railway as T.C. The allegations against the applicant that he had taken Rs.1 Lakh from the first informant. 3.

It is contention of learned counsel for applicant that the Digitally signed by SAJAKALI LIYAKAT JAMADAR Date:

2025.10.07 11:17:14 +0530 applicant has returned Rs.90,000/- to the first informant. The SAJAKALI LIYAKAT JAMADAR

applicant has no antecedents. The main allegations are against the co-accused. Hence, requested to allow the application. 4.

It is contention of learned APP that applicant and coaccused cheated the first informant and obtained an amount of Rs. 9 Lakhs. There was active involvement of the applicant in the crime. Hence, requested to reject the application.

5.

I have heard both learned counsels, perused the FIR and documents produced on record. Investigation is completed and charge-sheet has been filed. The applicant is behind bar for more than six months. There is no progress in trial. The applicant has no antecedents. The applicant has returned the amount received by him to the first informant. Considering these facts, his further detention is not required.

6.

In view of the above, I pass the following order :

ORDER

(i) Application is allowed;

(ii) The applicant be enlarged on bail in Crime No.46 of 2025 registered with Kodoli Police Station, District Kolhapur, on executing P.R.Bond in the sum of Rs.20,000/- with one or two sureties in the like amount.

(iii) The applicant shall not tamper with the evidence or shall not attempt to influence or contact the first informant, witnesses or any person concerned with the case.

(iv) Applicant shall attend the Trial Court dates, regularly.

7.

The application is allowed in the aforesaid terms and is accordingly disposed off.

8.

It is made clear that the above observations are made only for the purpose of granting bail and the Trial Court shall decide the case on its own merits in accordance with law and uninfluenced by the observations made in this order.

9.

All concerned to act on the authenticated copy of this order. (SHIVKUMAR DIGE, J.)