Ganesh Shivaji Lokhande v. The State Of Maharashtra
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY
CRIMINAL APPELLATE JURISDICTION CRIMINAL BAIL APPLICATION NO. 2250 OF 2024 Ganesh Shivaji Lokhande ....Applicant versus The State of Maharashtra and anr.
....Respondents _________________________________________________________________ Mr. A. Z. Mookhtiar (Appointed Advocate) along with Mr. Bhushan Ove, Advocate for Applicant.
Ms. Ranjana D. Humane, APP for Respondent-State. _________________________________________________________________
CORAM
: SHIVKUMAR DIGE, J.
DATE : 23rd APRIL, 2026.
P.C. :
1.
By this application, the applicant is seeking regular bail in Crime No. 589 of 2021 registered with Chandwad Police Station, District Pune, for the offences punishable under Sections 302 and 498-A of the Indian Penal Code 1860.
2.
It is prosecution's case that the applicant murdered his wife on suspicion of her character.
3.
It is contention of learned counsel for the applicant that the applicant is behind bars for more than four years five months, yet only one witness has been examined. The prosecution's case is based on SHUBHADA SHANKAR KADAM circumstantial evidence. The statement of the daughter of the applicant was recorded three months after the incident. The applicant has no SHUBHADA SHANKAR KADAM Date: 2026.04.24 15:25:30 +0530 antecedents and requested to allow the application.
4.
It is contention of learned APP that the applicant was suspecting the character of his wife, hence, assaulted and murdered her on the said ground. The incident was witnessed by the applicant's daughter, and she has stated that the applicant murdered the deceased. The trial is in progress, and only one witness has been examined. If the applicant is released on bail, he may abscond or threaten the prosecution witnesses, and requested to reject the application.
5.
I have heard both learned counsel, perused charge-sheet and documents produced on record.
6.
The prosecution's case is based on circumstantial evidence. The applicant is behind bars for more than four years five months, yet the trial is not concluded and only one witness has been examined. The applicant has no antecedents. It may take time to conclude the trial. Considering these facts, I pass the following order.
ORDER
(i) The applicant be enlarged on bail in Crime No. 589 of 2021 registered with Chandwad Police Station, District Pune, on executing P.R.Bond in the sum of Rs.30,000/- with one or two sureties in the like amount.
(ii) The applicant shall attend the concerned police station as and when required.
(iii) The applicant shall not tamper with the evidence or attempt to influence or contact the complainant, witnesses or any person concerned with the case.
The application is allowed in the aforesaid terms and is accordingly disposed of.
7.
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.
8.
All concerned to act on the authenticated copy of this order. (SHIVKUMAR DIGE, J.)