Santosh Jain S/O Rajendra Jain v. Union Of India And ANR

Shivgan 10-BA-1689-2025.doc

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY

CRIMINAL APPELLATE JURISDICTION BAIL APPLICATION NO.1689 OF 2025 Santosh Jain S/O Rajendra Jain ...Applicant

Versus

Union of India and Anr.

...Respondents

Mr Anil G Lalla, with Yash Pulekar, for the Applicant. Ms Aruna Pai, Special Public Prosecutor, for the Respondent No.1-NCB.

Ms Poonam P Bhosale, APP for the Respondent No.2-State.

CORAM

DR. NEELA GOKHALE, J.

DATED:

23RD SEPTEMBER 2025 PC:- 1.

At the very outset, Ms Aruna Pai, learned Special Public Prosecutor appearing for the Respondent No.1-NCB, has brought to my notice an order dated 31st January 2025 passed by the Supreme Court in Special Leave to Appeal (Crl.) No. 10130 of 2024. It appears that the previous bail application made by the Applicant has travelled upto the Supreme Court and the Supreme Court was not inclined to interfere with the orders passed by this Court rejecting bail to the present

Shivgan 10-BA-1689-2025.doc Applicant. While dismissing the SLP, the Supreme Court directed the Trial Court to expedite the trial and conclude the same as expeditiously as possible.

2.

Mr. Anil Lalla, learned counsel appearing for the Applicant, states that despite the directions of the Supreme Court to the Trial Court to expedite the trial, even the charges are not framed by the Trial Court as on date. Hence, it appears unlikely that the trial will conclude in the foreseeable future. 3.

Per contra, Ms Pai, states that the matter is kept on 26th September 2025 before the Trial Court for framing of charges. She also states that it is because of the Accused No.7, who is absconding and avoiding to remain present before the Trial Court, that the Trial Court was unable to frame charges. She also states that a Non Bailable Warrant is issued by the Trial Court for securing presence of the Accused No.7. 4.

I have heard both the counsel appearing for the parties. Considering that the Supreme Court by its order dated 31st

Shivgan 10-BA-1689-2025.doc January 2025 had directed the Trial Court to expedite the trial, the Trial Court is directed to frame charges within a period of 3 months from the date on which the present order is presented before it by any of the parties. All the Accused are directed to cooperate with the Trial Court in framing the charges. In case, the charges are not framed within the next 3 months, the Applicant is permitted to renew his plea for bail. 5.

The present Bail Application is disposed in the aforesaid terms.

(DR. NEELA GOKHALE, J) Digitally signed by SHAMBHAVI NILESH SHIVGAN Date:

2025.09.24 11:01:55 +0530 SHAMBHAVI NILESH SHIVGAN