Keshav Bhagwan Doiphode v. The State Of Maharashtra And Others

908apeal978-25

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY

BENCH AT AURANGABAD 908 CRIMINAL APPEAL NO. 978 OF 2025 Keshav Bhagwan Doiphode

VERSUS

The State Of Maharashtra And Others ...

Mr. Chatterji Joydeep, Advocate for Appellant Mr. K. S. Patil, APP for Respondent State Mr. Shrikant G. Kawade, Advocate for Respondent No.3 CORAM : Y. G. KHOBRAGADE, J.

Dated : 11th March, 2026 PER COURT :- 1.

As per office endorsement, report of learned Sessions Judge, Parbhani is awaited.

2.

On 24.02.2026, this Court passed an order and called upon the learned Sessions Judge, Parbhani to submit report about status and stage of the trial in respect of Crime No.299 of 2023 registered on 07.08.2023 with Selu Police Station, District Parbhani for the offences punishable under sections 302,143, 147, 148, 149 of the Indian Penal Code and section 3(1)(v) of the Schedule Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989.

3.

Today, this Court is in receipt of the Report dated 10.03.2026 (No. JW/1289/2026) from the Principal District and Sessions Judge, Parbhani. It is taken on record and marked 'X' for identification. 4.

As per the said report, on 03.01.2025 Charge is framed and

908apeal978-25 till date 4 prosecution witnesses are examined and for examination of other witnesses, the matter is fixed on 11.03.2025 i.e. today. So also, the post of Additional Sessions Judge-3 was vacant from 31.05.2025 to 28.08.2025. Further, on 04.12.2025 the concerned Sessions Judge was transferred to Hingoli and subsequently 19.12.2025 the said Additional Sessions Judge was transferred to Parbhani.

5.

The learned counsel appearing for the petitioner submitted that the prosecution has cited in all 18 witnesses in the charge-sheet. However, out of the said witnesses, only four witnesses have been examined till date, despite the order dated 09.12.2024 passed by this Court in Criminal Appeal No. 971 of 2024 granting liberty to the appellant to renew his prayer for bail if the trial does not conclude within one year.

6.

At this juncture, the learned APP seeks time to take instructions about schedule of examination of the witnesses and conclusion of the trial.

7.

Stand over to 25.03.2026.

( Y. G. KHOBRAGADE, J. ) JPChavan