Bhagwan Vikram More v. The State Of Maharashtra And Another

2026:BHC-AUG:412

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY

BENCH AT AURANGABAD ANTICIPATORY BAIL APPLICATION NO. 715 OF 2025 Bhagwan Vikram More

VERSUS

The State Of Maharashtra And Another ...

• Mr. J. V. Patil, Advocate for Applicant • Mr. K. K. Naik, APP for Respondents - State ...

CORAM : MEHROZ K. PATHAN, J.

DATED : 05.01.2026 PER COURT :

1.

Heard learned counsel for the applicant and the learned APP for the respondents-State.

2.

The applicant has approached this Court apprehending arrest in connection with FIR No. 310 of 2024 dated 21.06.2024, registered with Jamner Police Station, District Jalgaon, for the offences punishable under Sections 307, 308, 353, 332, 333, 143, 147, 148, 341, 342, 435, 323, 504, 506, 427 read with Section 149 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860; Sections 3 and 7 of the Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act, 1984; Section 7 of the Criminal Law Amendment Act, 2013; and Section 37(1)(3) read with Section 135 of the Maharashtra Police Act, 1951.

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3.

This Court, vide order dated 09.05.2025, granted interim bail to the applicant on certain conditions and directed the applicant to attend the Investigating Officer on specified dates and time and thereafter as and when required.

4.

Learned counsel for the applicant submits that the applicant has complied with all the conditions imposed by this Court vide order dated 09.05.2025 and is further ready and willing to cooperate with the investigation. It is submitted that the applicant was not initially named in the FIR and was later implicated allegedly on the basis of certain video recordings and CCTV footage captured by cameras installed at various places. It is further submitted that the applicant has no criminal antecedents and, therefore, deserves protection. 5.

As against this, learned APP vehemently opposes the application contending that although the applicant has cooperated with the investigation, several co-accused are still absconding. It is submitted that custodial interrogation of the applicant is necessary as there is a likelihood of the applicant again creating a law and order situation in the vicinity. It is further contended that the applicant played a vital role in gathering the mob, which assaulted police personnel who were attempting to pacify the enraged crowd agitated over an alleged incident of rape of a minor girl. Hence, according to the learned APP, this is not a fit case for grant of anticipatory bail. 2/4

6.

I have perused the investigation papers and the interim order dated 09.05.2025. Learned counsel for the applicant has also tendered a copy of the order dated 28.11.2024 passed in the case of accused Salusing Gimalya Shewale, shown as accused No. 1 in the FIR, whose interim relief was confirmed vide order dated 09.01.2025 in Anticipatory Bail Application No. 2009 of 2024. Perusal of the case diary reveals that the said accused also stood on a similar footing, having allegedly instigated the mob to take law into their own hands and cause damage to public property. Since the main accused has been granted anticipatory bail, I am inclined to protect the present applicant on the principle of parity and continue the interim order. 7.

Hence, the following order :-

O R D E R

A) The Anticipatory Bail Application is allowed. B) The interim order dated 09.05.2025 is hereby confirmed, with an additional condition that the applicant shall attend the concerned police station and report to the Investigating Officer on 09th, 10th, 16th, 17th, 23rd, and 24th January, 2026, between 12:00 noon and 02:00 p.m., and thereafter as and when required till completion of the investigation and filing of the charge-sheet.

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C) The Applicant shall also cooperate with the investigation.

D) The Applicant shall not pressurize the prosecution witnesses and shall not tamper with the prosecution evidence, in any manner.

E) The applicant shall furnish copies of his Aadhaar Card and PAN Card to the Investigating Officer along with the addresses and mobile numbers of two nearest relatives.

8.

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

9.

The observations made herein are prima facie in nature and shall not influence the Trial Court or any other Court while deciding the case on its own merits.

10.

In view of the above, the application stands disposed of. 11.

Pending applications, if any, also stand disposed of. ( MEHROZ K. PATHAN, J. ) 4/4