Vaibhav Balaram Patil v. The State Of Maharashtra

BA-930-2025.doc Shabnoor

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY

CRIMINAL APPELLATE JURISDICTION BAIL APPLICATION NO.930 OF 2025 SHABNOOR AYUB PATHAN Vaibhav Balaram Patil ... Applicant V/s.

The State of Maharashtra ... Respondent SHABNOOR AYUB PATHAN Date: 2025.08.21 15:28:29 +0530 Mr. Abhasingh A. Shinde for the Applicant.

Mr. Sagar R. Agarkar, APP for the State - respondent.

CORAM

: AMIT BORKAR, J.

DATED : AUGUST 21, 2025 P.C.:

1.

It is noticed by this Court that on several occasions, the papers pertaining to bail applications are not made available on the dates of hearing. Such lapses, if permitted to continue, not only delay the disposal of bail matters but also defeat the very purpose of hearing urgent applications concerning the liberty of an individual. The absence of papers on the scheduled hearing date results in adjournments and causes avoidable prejudice both to the applicant and to the prosecution. Therefore, this Court finds it necessary to direct a proper enquiry into the matter. 2.

Accordingly, the Registrar (Judicial) is directed to conduct a detailed enquiry as to why the papers of bail applications are not consistently available before the Court on each hearing date. While holding such enquiry, the Registrar shall carefully examine the

BA-930-2025.doc entire process of handling of case papers - from the stage when the papers are taken out from the record room for the hearing of the matter, to their placement before the Court, and thereafter, till their re-deposit in the respective racks or storage section. The enquiry shall specifically identify the employees and officers responsible at each stage of the process. The Registrar shall further pinpoint the weak links in the chain of custody of papers, if any, due to which there is a likelihood of court briefs being misplaced or going missing.

3.

Such lapses in the Court Registry cannot be treated lightly, as they strike at the very root of judicial functioning and impede the smooth administration of justice. The system must ensure absolute accountability at each stage of record management so that the confidence of litigants in the judicial process is not shaken. 4.

The Registrar (Judicial) shall accordingly submit a comprehensive report to this Court within four weeks from today. The report shall not only contain the findings of the enquiry but also specify the corrective and preventive measures undertaken by the Registry to avoid recurrence of such lapses in future. 5.

List the Bail Application on 29 August 2025.

(AMIT BORKAR, J.)