Navnath Jotiram Lokare v. State Of Maharashtra And ANR
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY
CRIMINAL APPELLATE JURISDICTION BAIL APPLICATION NO. 1178 OF 2025 Navnath J. Lokare ...Applicant V/s.
State of Maharashtra & Anr.
...Respondents.
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Mr. Vignesh Ashokan i/b Mr. Sachin Deokar for the Applicant. Mr. S.V. Walve, APP for the Respondent/State. Mr. Rushikesh Munde, Special P.P. for Respondent No.2/Customs, Pune.
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CORAM
:
N.R. BORKAR, J.
DATE :
25.04.2025.
P.C. :
1.
This is an application for regular bail.
2.
The applicant came to be arrested in Crime No.7 of 2023 registered at Narcotic Cell, Pune for the offences punishable under Sections 20 (b) (ii) (c) & 29 read with Section 8(c) of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act.
3.
On the basis of secret information on 02.12.2022, the present applicant and two more more co-accused were apprehended at Bormani, Solapur while they travelling from Gunupur to Salse in a State transport bus and were found in possession of 56.94 kg of Ganja.
4.
The bail is sought on the ground of parity. In support of said ground, learned counsel for the applicant has placed on record the 1/3
order dated 28.02.2025 passed by this Court in Criminal Bail Application Nos.3726 of 2024 and 4737 of 2024. By the said order, this Court has released the co-accused Yashwant Kale and Anil Andhare on bail.
5.
The learned counsel for the applicant submits that the applicant has nothing to do with the alleged crime. It is submitted that personal search of the applicant was taken and nothing incriminating was found. It is submitted that the applicant is in jail for more than two years and there are no other antecedents against him.
6.
On the other hand, the learned Special P.P for the respondent/Customs submits that there is enough incriminating material against the applicant to connect him with the crime in question. It is further submitted that the applicant and other coaccused were found in possession of commercial quantity. It is submitted that the applicant, therefore may not be released on bail.
7.
This Court has already released similarly circumstanced coaccused on bail. The applicant is in jail for more than two years. There are no other criminal antecedents against the applicant. Considering the overall facts and circumstances, I am inclined to release the applicant on bail. In the result, the following order is passed:
O R D E R
A] The Application is allowed.
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B] The applicant be released on bail in Crime No. 7 of 2023 registered at Narcotic Cell, Pune for the offences punishable under Sections 20 (b) (ii) (c) & 29 read with Section 8(c) of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act on furnishing P.R Bond in the sum of Rs.25,000/- (Rupees Twenty Five Thousand) with one or two sureties in the like amount.
C] The applicant shall attend the office of the Narcotics Cell, Pune, Customs once in a month, i.e., on first Monday between 11:00 am to 2:00 pm, till conclusion of the trial.
[N.R.BORKAR, J.] 3/3