Shubhangi Sharad Sutar And ANR v. The State Of Maharashtra And ANR

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY CRIMINAL APPELLATE JURISDICTION CRIMINAL BAIL APPLICATION NO. 3458 OF 2024

1. Shubhangi Sharad Sutar

2. Sharad Raghunath Sutar ....Applicants

Versus

The State Of Maharashtra and anr.

....Respondents _________________________________________________________________ Mr. Premkumar Mishra (through VC) along with Mr. Surya P. Gupta, Advocate for Applicant.

Mr. Prashant P. Jadhav, APP for Respondent-State. Mr. Savankumar V. Waghmare, Police Sub-Inspector, Dehuroad Police Station, Pimpri Chinchwad, present.

_________________________________________________________________

CORAM

: SHIVKUMAR DIGE, J.

DATE : 20th FEBRUARY, 2026.

P.C. :

1.

By this application, the applicants are seeking regular bail in Crime No.657 of 2023 registered with Dehu Road Police Station, District Pune, for the offences punishable under Sections 304(II), 285, 286, 337 and 338 of the Indian Penal Code 1860, Sections 5 and 9B of the Explosives Act, 1884 and Section 3A read with 14 of the Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act, 1986.

2.

It is prosecution's case that on 18th December 2023, a blast took place in the company where sparkling candles were being prepared, and in Digitally signed by SHUBHADA SHANKAR KADAM Date:

2026.02.24 10:52:34 +0530 the said blast, 14 workers died. The applicants are the owners of the said SHUBHADA SHANKAR KADAM factory.

3.

It is contention of learned counsel for the applicants that the applicants are behind bars for more than two years. It was an accident. The maximum punishment for the offences applied against the applicants is 10 years. The applicants have no antecedents. The investigation is completed, there is no progress in the trial. Hence, requested to allow the application.

4.

It is contention of learned APP that the applicants were running the factory without a license and without taking proper care and precautions. Due to the blast, 14 people have lost their lives. The applicants are responsible for the said blast. If the applicants are released on bail, they may abscond, and requested to reject the application. 5.

I have heard both learned counsel, perused charge-sheet and documents produced on record. The applicants are behind bars for more than two years. There is no progress in the trial. The maximum sentence for the offences applied against the applicants is 10 years. To prove the role of the applicants in the said crime, evidence is required. The applicants have no antecedents. There is no progress in the trial. Considering these facts, I pass the following order.

ORDER

(i) The applicants be enlarged on bail in Crime No.657 of 2023 registered with Dehu Road 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 applicants shall attend the concerned police station as and when required.

(iii) The applicants 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.

6.

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.

7.

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