Balwant Rangnath Sonawane v. State Of Maharashtra And ANR

15-BA-696-2025.doc

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY

CRIMINAL APPELLATE JURISDICTION CRIMINAL BAIL APPLICATION NO. 696 OF 2025 Balwant Rangnath Sonawane ...Applicant

Versus

The State of Maharashtra and Anr.

...Respondents

__________ Mr. Nikhil Vijay Adkine a/w Mr. Somanath Kale, learned Advocates for the Applicant.

Ms. Anamika Malhotra, learned A.P.P. for the State/Respondent. Mr. Mainak Adhikary (Through Legal-aid Panel), learned Advocate for Respondent No. 2.

PSI Mr. Y. S. Jadhav attached to Otur Police Station, District-Pune is present in the Court.

__________ CORAM :

ASHWIN D. BHOBE, J.

DATE :

10th JULY 2025.

P.C. :

1.

Heard Mr. Nikhil Adkine, learned Advocate for the Applicant and Ms. Anamika Malhotra, learned A.P.P. for the State/Respondent.

2.

Notice was issued to Respondent No. 2 on 7th March 2025. 3.

Ms. Anamika Malhotra, learned A.P.P. for the State/Respondent submits that the Investigating Officer has received a written request from Respondent No. 2 seeking legal assistance in the present matter. She tenders a copy of the letter dated 20th April 2025. The same is taken on record and marked as "X" for identification.

Gitalaxmi

15-BA-696-2025.doc 4.

In view of the request made by Respondent No. 2 for legal assistance, Mr. Mainak Adhikary, learned Advocate on the Legal-aid Panel of this Court, who is present in the Court, is requested to represent Respondent No. 2.

5.

At the request of the Court, Mr. Mainak Adhikary, learned Advocate has agreed to appear and represent the Complainant/Respondent No. 2 in the present Bail Application. 6.

Ms. Anamika Malhotra, learned A.P.P. is requested to communicate Respondent No. 2 about the appointment of Mr. Mainak Adhikary, learned Advocate, as her lawyer to represent her in the present Bail Application. Maharashtra Legal-aid Committee to take a note of appointment of Mr. Mainak Adhikary, learned Advocate, under the Legal-aid Scheme to represent Respondent No. 2 in the present Bail Application.

7.

Mr. Nikhil Adkine, learned Advocate for the Applicant assures the Court to furnish entire paper-book of the present Bail Application to Mr. Mainak Adhikary, learned Appointed Advocate, within a period of two days from today.

8.

At the joint request and by consent of the parties, list the matter on 1st August 2025.

[ASHWIN D. BHOBE, J.] by GITALAXMI KRISHNA KOTAWADEKAR Date:

2025.07.10 21:03:37 +0530 GITALAXMI KRISHNA KOTAWADEKAR Gitalaxmi