Sangram Babu Ranpise v. State Of Maharashtra

Nikita

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY

CRIMINAL APPELLATE JURISDICTION BAIL APPLICATION NO.2893 OF 2025 Sangram Babu Ranpise ... Applicant V/s.

The State of Maharashtra ... Respondent NIKITA KAILAS DARADE by NIKITA KAILAS DARADE Date: 2025.07.24 20:00:39 +0530 Mr. Rahul Dhaygude a/w Mr. Sanket Mane for the Applicant.

Ms. M. H. Mhatre, APP for the State.

Mr. Vikas N. Rathod, PSI, Satara City Police Station.

CORAM

: ASHWIN D. BHOBE, J.

DATED : 24th JULY, 2025 P.C.:

1.

Heard Mr. Rahul Dhaygude, learned Advocate for the Applicant and Ms. M. H. Mhatre, learned APP for the State. 2.

Applicant by the present application under Section 483 of Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, is seeking bail in connection with C. R. No.286 of 2021 registered with Satara City Police Station, Satara for the offences punishable under Sections 302, 201, 34 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860. Said crime is now registered as Sessions Case No.183 of 2021 and is pending before the Court of Additional Sessions Judge Satara. 3.

There are five Accused in the present crime. Applicant is Accused No.3.

4.

Case of the prosecution is that Akash Shivdas (deceased) and

sister of Vikrant alias Manya Umesh Kamble (Accused No.1) were in relationship. Accused No.1 had an issue with the said relationship. Sister of the Accused No.1 was married. Akash Shivdas was contacting the sister of the Accused No.1 even after the marriage and was harassing her. In view of the same, Accused No.1 is alleged to have a motive to eliminate Akash Shivdas. As per the prosecution case, Accused Nos.2 to 5 assisted the Accused No.1 in eliminating Akash Shivdas.

5.

Applicant was arrested on 06.04.2021, since then he is in jail. Bail Applicant at Exhibit-125 filed by the Applicant in Sessions Case No.183 of 2021 was rejected by the Additional Sessions Judge, Satara on 09.07.2025.

6.

Mr. Rahul Dhaygude, learned Advocate for the Applicant submits that the Applicant (Accused No.3) is seeking bail on the ground of parity. He submits that the involvement and allegations against the Applicant in the crime are similar and identical to the allegations as made against the Accused No.1. He submits that as a matter of fact, involvement of the Applicant in the present crime is lesser than the involvement of the Accused No.1. He places reliance on the order dated 06.02.2024 passed by this Court in Criminal Bail Application No.1962 of 2023 (page No.343 to 352 of the paper book) and relies on the observations made in paragraph No.11 of the order in the context of the involvement of Accused No.1 and the motive for committing the crime. 7.

Ms. M. H. Mhatre, learned APP for the State, submits that the Applicant was last seen with the deceased along with the other

co-accused. She submits that the involvement of the Applicant is disclosed in the charge-sheet.

8.

I have perused the record and the order dated 06.02.2024 passed in Bail Application No.1962 of 2023, with the assistance of learned Advocates for the parties.

9.

Perusal of the charge-sheet and the statements of witnesses namely Shahrukh Shaikh and Swapnil Bhusale, as pointed out by Mr. Rahul Dhaygude, reveals that the Applicant is last seen with the deceased, along with the other co-accused. Swapnil in his statement under Section 161 of Cr.P.C. though, named the Applicant, however in his subsequent statement recorded under Section 164 of Cr.P.C. does not make reference to the Applicant. 10.

Mr. Rahul Dhaygude, would be justified in submitting that the involvement of the Applicant in the present crime is lesser than the involvement of the Accused No.1. Accused No.1 being granted bail, Applicant who is identically placed in the crime is entitled to bail on the ground parity.

11.

Mr. Rahul Dhaygude learned Advocate for the Applicant submits that if indulgence is shown to the Applicant, Applicant shall abide by all the conditions as may be imposed by this Court and further on instructions of the Applicant states that the Applicant shall not enter the territorial jurisdiction of the Satara district till the conclusion of the trial in Sessions Case No.183 of 2021.

12.

In view of the above, the present Bail Application is allowed, on the following conditions:

(a) Applicant is directed to be released on bail in connection with C.R. No.286 of 2021 registered with the Satara Police Station, Taluka Satara, District- Satara on his furnishing P. R. Bond of Rs.25,000/- with one or two sureties in the like amount to the satisfaction of Additional Sessions Judge, Satara.

(b) Applicant shall not enter the Satara District after being released on bail, except for attending the trial in Sessions Case No.183 of 2021.

(c) On being released on bail, the Applicant shall furnish his cell phone number and residential address to the Investigating Officer and shall keep the same updated, in case of any change thereto.

(d) Applicant shall report to the Juna Bazar, Gadital Police Station, Taluka-Pune, District-Pune twice in a week on Sunday and Wednesday between 11.00 a.m. and 1.00 p.m. for six months and thereafter once every week on every Sunday between 11.00 a.m. and 1.00 p.m. till the conclusion of the trial. The Police Inspector of Juna Bazar Gadital Police Station, Taluka- Pune, District- Pune to communicate details thereof to the Investigating Officer, Satara Police Station, Taluka Satara, District- Satara.

(e) Applicant shall not directly or indirectly make any inducement, threat or promise to any person acquainted with the facts of the case so as to dissuade such a person from disclosing the facts to the Court or to any Police personnel.

(f) Applicant shall not tamper with the evidence and shall not contact or influence the Complainant or any witnesses in any manner.

(g) Applicant shall regularly attend the trial of Sessions Case No.183 of 2021. The Applicant shall co-operate with the Trial Court and shall not seek unnecessary adjournments thereat.

(h) Applicant shall surrender his passport, if any, to the Investigating Officer, Satara City Police Station, Satara. 13.

The Bail Application No.2893 of 2025 is allowed in the above said terms.

(ASHWIN D. BHOBE. J.)