Ajay Shivkumar Pille Alias Kau v. The State Of Maharashtra
by CHITRA SANJAY SONAWANE Date:
2025.12.16 17:47:48 +0530 CHITRA SANJAY SONAWANE
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY
CRIMINAL APPELLATE JURISDICTION Bail Application No.1560 of 2025 Ajay Shivkumar Pille Alias Kau Age: 30 Years, Occ.: Driver R/o: 25/26, Rai-bai Chawl, Ganesh Nagra, Bopodi, Range hills, Dist: Pune, M.H. 411020 [At present Yerwada Central Prison, Pune] ... Applicant versus The State of Maharashtra [Through Senior Police Inspector Khadki Police Station, Pune] ... Respondent ---- Mr Raj Bannatwala, a/w Nikhil G Hire, a/w Mr Prasad Nagargoje, for the applicant.
Mr B B Kulkarni, APP, for the respondent/ State. PSI Ravindra Jaysingh Kale, Khadki Police Station, Pune City, is present.
---- Coram: R.N. Laddha, J.
Date: 16 December 2025.
P.C.:
By this application, the applicant seeks bail in connection with CR No.398 of 2023, registered at Khadki Police Station, Pune, for offences punishable under Sections 392 and 397 of the Indian Penal Code; Sections 37(1) and 135 of the Maharashtra Police Act, 1951; and Sections 3 and 25 of the Arms Act, 1959.
2.
It is the prosecution's case that on 28 October 2023, the applicant, while armed with a sharp-edged weapon, threatened the informant and forcibly committed robbery by dishonestly removing a sum of Rs.1,540/- from the cash counter of the informant's shop.
3.
Mr Raj Bannatwala, the learned Counsel appearing on behalf of the applicant, asserting the applicant's innocence, submits that the applicant has been falsely implicated in the present crime. It is contended that the amount allegedly stolen is a nominal sum of Rs.1,540/-, and the witnesses to the alleged crime are interested parties. There are discrepancies in the witness statements, and the prosecution has failed to secure CCTV footage, casting doubt on the credibility of the prosecution's narrative.
4.
The learned Counsel further submits that the applicant has been languishing in jail since 28 August 2023, and, notwithstanding the filing of the charge sheet, the charges have not yet been framed. Furthermore, the applicant is willing to comply with any conditions this Court may deem appropriate to impose, including residing outside the jurisdiction of the Pune district till the conclusion of the trial. 5.
On the other hand, Mr BB Kulkarni, the learned
Additional Public Prosecutor representing the respondent/ State, opposes the applicant's request for bail. It is submitted that specific allegations have been made against the applicant and that there are eyewitnesses to the incident. The applicant wielded a sharp weapon and issued threats to the informant before unlawfully removing Rs.1,540/- from the cash counter of the informant's shop. The learned APP further submits that the offence is grave and serious, and that the applicant has criminal antecedents of a similar nature. He also expresses concern regarding the possibility of evidence tampering and witness influence should the applicant be released on bail. 6.
This Court has given anxious consideration to the rival contentions canvassed across the Bar and perused the records. It appears from the record that the statements of eyewitnesses were recorded after an inordinate delay of about eight days from the date of incident. The investigation in the present crime has been concluded, and the chargesheet has already been filed. Nothing remains to be recovered or discovered from the applicant. The applicant has been languishing in jail since 28 August 2023, and the charges have not yet been framed. The prosecution's apprehensions about potential evidence tampering and witness influence can be addressed by imposing suitable conditions. Furthermore, the applicant is willing to
comply with any conditions this Court may impose, including staying outside the territorial limits of the Pune District till the conclusion of the trial.
7.
In light of the foregoing, this Court is inclined to grant bail to the applicant. Hence, the following order:
ORDER
(i) The applicant shall be released on bail in CR No.398 of 2023, registered at Khadki Police Station, Pune, upon executing a PR Bond of Rs.25,000/- and furnishing one or more sureties in the like amount.
(ii) The applicant, himself or through any other person, shall not tamper with the evidence or influence witnesses.
(iii) The applicant shall refrain from entering the Pune District until the conclusion of the trial, save and except to attend the trial proceedings.
(iv) The applicant shall regularly attend and cooperate with the trial Court for the expeditious disposal of the case.
(v) The applicant shall inform the
Inspector of the concerned Police Station about his residential and contact details and update him of any changes therein forthwith.
8.
The application stands disposed of accordingly. [R.N. Laddha, J.]