Ramchandra Dharmaji Hande v. State Of Maharashtra

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY

CRIMINAL APPELLATE JURISDICTION CRIMINAL BAIL APPLICATION NO. 2541 OF 2025 Ramchandra Dharmaji Hande ...Applicant

Versus

The State of Maharashtra

...Respondent

_________________________________________________________________ Mr. Kuldeep S. Patil, Advocate for Applicant. Smt. R.D. Humane, APP for the State.

Mr. S. Punamiya i/by Dilip Shukla, Advocate for Respondent No.2. _________________________________________________________________

CORAM

: SHIVKUMAR DIGE, J.

DATE : 4th May, 2026.

P.C. :

1.

Heard learned counsel for the Applicant and learned APP for the State.

2.

By this application, the applicant is seeking regular bail in Crime No. 90/2019 registered with Otur Police Station for the offences punishable under Sections 406, 408, 409, 420, 463, 464, 465, 467, 468, 470, 471, 120B, 477A and 34 of the Indian Penal code, 1860 and under Sections 3 & 4 of the MPID Act, 1999.

3.

It is prosecution's case that Applicant was vice chairman of Shree Mahalaxmi Gramin Bigar Sheti Patsanstha. Dist. Pune (for short 'said Patsanstha'). He and other office bearers of the said Patsanstha misappropriated the amount of the said Patsanstha by giving bogus loan

and by other way and cheated the said Patsanstha to the tune of Rs.30 crores. The allegations against the applicant that he has misappropriated the amount of Rs.1.29 crores.

4.

It is contention of learned counsel for the Applicant that Applicant is around 68 years' old. He is behind bars around five years and six months. There is no progress in the trial. Crime No. 90/2019 registered with Otur Police Station, the Applicant's property has been attached by the investigating officer. To show bonafide, the amount of Rs.25 lacs has been deposited before the said Patsanstha. It take time to conclude the trial and requested to allow the application. 5.

It is contention of learned APP along with learned counsel for Respondent No.2 that Applicant is the main culprit. He was acting as vice chairman at the time of incident. He gave loan to his relatives without any requisite documents. If he is released on bail, he may abscond or threaten prosecution witnesses and requested to reject the application. 6.

I have heard all learned counsel. Perused charge sheet and documents produced on record. Applicant is behind bars around five years and six months, yet there is no progress in the trial. Allegations against the applicant of misappropriation of amount of Rs.1.29 crores, out of which, the applicant has deposited Rs.25 lacs before the said Patsanstha. His property has been attached. Applicant is 68 years' old.

7.

Considering these facts, I pass following order:

ORDER

(i) The Applicant- Ramchandra Dharmaji Hande be released on bail in Crime No. 90/2019 registered with Otur Police Station, on furnishing PR bond of Rs.25,000/- with one or two solvent sureties in the like amount.

(ii) The Applicant shall attend the concerned police station, as and when called.

(iii) The Applicant shall not tamper with the evidence and/or influence the prosecution witnesses.

(iv) The Trial Court shall decide the case on its own merits and in accordance with law, uninfluenced by the observations made in this order. (v) Bail Application is allowed in the aforesaid terms. (SHIVKUMAR DIGE, J.)