Rashid Khan Pathan v. Prashant Jadhav And ORS.

221-WP.6474.2025.doc JVS.

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY

CRIMINAL APPELLATE JURISDICTION CRIMINAL WRIT PETITION NO. 6474 OF 2025 Rashid Khan Pathan } Petitioner

Versus

Prashant Jadhav & Ors.

} Respondents Mr. Nilesh Ojha with Mr. Tanveer Nizam, Mr. Partho Sarkar, Mr. Vijay Kurle, Ms. Anushka Sonawane, Mr. Shivchand Mishra, Mr. devkrishna Bhambri, Mr.Shivam Gupta, Mr.Vikas Pawar, Ms. Sonal Manchekar, Mr. Sagar Ugle, Mr.Rahul Jadhav, Mr. Priyal Gupta i/b. Mr. Abhishek Mishra, Advocates for the Petitioner.

Ms. M. M. Deshmukh, In-Charge Public Prosecutor with Mr. S. V. Gavand, APP for Respondent No. 6.

CORAM:

SHREE CHANDRASHEKHAR, CJ. & SUMAN SHYAM, J.

by PRAVIN DASHARATH PANDIT Date: 2026.03.08 10:36:37 +0530 PRAVIN DASHARATH PANDIT DATE:

20th FEBRUARY 2026 P.C.:

Mr. Nilesh Ojha, the learned counsel for the petitioner states on instructions from the petitioner that he is not pressing the first prayer relating to transfer of investigation to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). However, as to the second prayer, this court may take cognizance of the matter and issue appropriate directions to the proposed contemnors.

2.

In our opinion, insofar as protection to the witnesses is concerned, the concerned witnesses may file appropriate petition before the jurisdictional Court which shall take into consideration the apprehensions raised by the witnesses and pass necessary orders in terms of the Witness Protection Scheme. At this stage, we are not inclined to take note of the second prayer of the petitioner. 3.

With the aforesaid liberty to the petitioner, Writ Petition No.6474 of 2025 is disposed of.

[SUMAN SHYAM, J.] [CHIEF JUSTICE]