Mohd Sohel Mohd Shafi Shaikh v. State Of Maharashtra

32-BA-1646-2025 Navnath Waghmare

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY

CRIMINAL APPELLATE JURISDICTION CRIMINAL BAIL APPLICATION NO. 1646 OF 2025 Mohd Sohel Mohd Shafi Shaikh ...Applicant

Versus

The State of Maharashtra

...Respondent

Mr. Prashant Pandey a/w Dinesh Jadhwani, Ridhima Mangaonkar i/b W3 LEGAL LLP for the Applicant Mrs. R.S. Tendulkar APP, for the Respondent-State. Mr. Kshirsagar, PSI, Ghatkopar police station

CORAM:

R. M. JOSHI, J.

DATED:

22nd APRIL, 2026 PC:- 1.

Applicant seeks bail on the ground of he has not been produced before the Trial Court about 102 dates of hearing. It is his contention that on this ground alone applicant is entitled for bail. To support this submission he placed on reliance Hon'ble Supreme Court of judgment/order Siddhant @ Sidharth Balu Taktode vs. The State of Maharashtra and Anr. 2024 INSC 1017 and Gaurav Badu Patil Vs. State of Maharashtra and Anr. 2024 SCC OnLine Bom 1258.

2.

Learned APP makes statement that the Trial of the present 22nd APRIL, 2026

32-BA-1646-2025 Navnath Waghmare applicant would be concluded on or before 31st December, 2026. 3.

Perusal of the orders/ judgments cited supra indicating that in those cases charge was not framed against the accused. Since the Trial were protracted, bail came to be granted. 4.

In the instant case not only charge has been framed, 04 witnesses are already been examined. Needless to say that the Court is required to strike balance between the liberty of the applicant-accused so also right of the prosecution to lead evidence to prove the charge against the accused.

5.

Moreover, the statement of learned APP that trial would be concluded within a period of Six months, is reasonable and takes care of apprehension of applicant.

6.

Trial Court therefore, is directed to complete the trial within a period of Six months.

7.

Hence application therefore, stands disposed of. R. M. JOSHI, J.

{ 22nd APRIL, 2026