Lata Ratan Rokade v. State Of Maharashtra

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY CRIMINAL APPELLATE JURISDICTION CRIMINAL BAIL APPLICATION NO. 1308 OF 2025 Lata Ratan Rokade ... Applicant

Versus

State Of Maharashtra ... Respondent by NILAM SANTOSH KAMBLE Date: 2026.01.06 17:30:51 +0530 NILAM SANTOSH KAMBLE ________________________________________________________ Mr.Satyavrat Joshi i/b Mr.S.S. Kondekar, for the Applicant. Mr.P.P. Jadhav, APP for Respondent-State.

Mr.Sagar Devkar, PSI, Chikhali Police Station (Pimpari Chinchwad Police Station).

________________________________________________________ CORAM : SHIVKUMAR DIGE, J.

DATE : 5th JANUARY, 2026 P.C. :

.

By this Application, Applicant is seeking regular bail in Crime No.346 of 2023 registered with Chikhali Police Station, Pune, for the offences punishable under Sections 302 and 120B of the Indian Penal Code, 1860 ('IPC' for short), Sections 4, 25 of the Arms Act and Sections 3(1)(ii), 3(2), 3(4) of the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act, 1999 ('MCOC' for short).

2.

It is prosecution's case that, on 22nd May 2023 around 1.30 p.m. to 1.45 p.m., co-accused murdered the deceased by firing at him from pistol. It is alleged that the Applicant gave shelter to the coaccused in her house and provided financial aid to them to flee away after the incident.

3.

It is contention of learned counsel for the Applicant that, there are no allegations against the Applicant of conspiracy to kill the deceased. The allegations against the Applicant are that she financially helped the co-accused to flee away after the incident and gave shelter in her house. The Applicant is behind bar for more than one year and four months. The other co-accused have been released on bail. Applicant is lady and she has no antecedents. Hence, requested to allow the Application.

4.

It is contention of learned APP that, the Applicant was aware that co-accused had committed the murder and in spite of that she helped them and provided money for help and shelter and, it shows her involvement in the crime. One more crime has been registered against her after the present crime. If she is released on bail, she may abscond. Hence, requested to reject the Application.

5.

I have heard both the learned counsel. Perused charge-sheet and documents produced on record.

6.

The allegations against the Applicant are helping to the coaccused after incident. She was not present at the time of the incident nor conspired to kill the deceased. She is behind the bar for more than one year and four months.

7.

Considering these facts, I pass following order.

ORDER

(i) The Applicant-Lata Ratan Rokade, be released on bail in Crime No.346 of 2023 registered with Chikhali Police Station, Pune, on furnishing PR bond of Rs.25,000/- with one or two solvent sureties in the like amount. (ii) The Applicant shall not tamper with the evidence and/or influence the prosecution witnesses.

(iii) The Trial Court shall decide the case on its own merits and in accordance with law, uninfluenced by the observations made in this order.

(iv) The Applicant shall give attendance before the Investigating Officer once in month on first Monday of the month, till framing of the charge.

(v) Application is allowed in the aforesaid terms. (SHIVKUMAR DIGE, J.)