Narendra Dattatray Muley v. The State Of Maharashtra

2026:BHC-AUG:398

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY

BENCH AT AURANGABAD 925 ANTICIPATORY BAIL APPLN. NO.638 OF 2025 NARENDRA DATTATRAY MULEY

VERSUS

THE STATE OF MAHARASHTRA ...

Advocate for Applicant : Mr.Shaikh Wasif.

APP for Respondent-State : Mrs.P.J.Bharad ...

CORAM : MEHROZ K. PATHAN, J.

DATE : 06.01.2026 P.C. :

1] Heard the learned counsel for the applicant and the learned APP for the respondent-State.

2] The applicant has approached this Court apprehending arrest in connection with Crime No.277/2024, registered with Bhusawal Taluka Police Station, Bhusawal, District Jalgaon, for the offence punishable under Sections 179, 180 and 3 (5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023.

3] This Court, vide order dated 29th April, 2025, has granted interim protection in favour of the applicant with condition that the applicant shall attend the concerned police station as and when required by the Investigating Officer.

4] The learned counsel for the applicant submits that the applicant has complied with the condition scrupulously and the applicant has co-operated with the investigation, hence, the interim protection granted by order dated 29.04.2025 may be confirmed. It is further submitted by the learned counsel for the applicant that the applicant is working as Priest and was engaged by other two deceased for performing some ritual. The incident took place near Nirmal Dhaba, Varangaon-Bhusawal highway in which the applicant was also seriously injured. The applicant was hospitalized for almost two months. The applicant is not having any criminal antecedents. The applicant is having deep roots in the society. The applicant is ready to abide by any conditions that may be imposed by this Court.

5] The learned APP for the respondent-State vehemently opposes the application on the ground that the applicant is involved in serious offence under Section 179 of the BNS, which is punishable with life imprisonment. The applicant is involved in serious offence of counterfeit currency, therefore, the custodial interrogation of the applicant is necessary to investigate the crime from all aspects as two accused persons are already dead, who were traveling with the applicant in the vehicle on the fateful day of incident. The learned APP, therefore, submits that this is not fit case for grant of anticipatory bail.

6] I have gone through the investigation papers and the interim order dated 29.04.2025. The applicant is resident of Nashik and the name of the applicant is referred in the statement of Kiran Hiraman Dhatrak, who is son of one of the deceased, who died in the accident. That his father called the applicant as 'Gurudev'. The applicant has attended the concerned police station vide order dated 29.04.2025. The investigation as regards the present applicant almost appears to have been completed. The custodial interrogation of the applicant may not be necessary. The apprehension of the learned APP can be taken care of by imposing stringent conditions. Hence, the following order :

O R D E R

A) The Anticipatory Bail Application is allowed. B) The interim order dated 29th April, 2025 is hereby confirmed. The applicant is directed to attend the concerned police station on every Saturday between 11.00 a.m. and 1.00 p.m. and to co-operate with the investigation till framing of the charge by the trial Court. C) The Applicant shall not leave the country without prior permission of this Court.

7] Needless to say, violation of any of the aforesaid conditions shall entitle the prosecution to seek cancellation of the anticipatory bail.

8] The observations made herein above are prima facie in nature and shall not influence by the Trial Court or any other Court while deciding the case on its own merits. 9] The Anticipatory Bail Application is disposed of accordingly.

[MEHROZ K. PATHAN] JUDGE DDC