Ramdhani @ Pancham Chhangur Gupta v. State Of Maharashtra
Prasad
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY
CRIMINAL APPELLATE JURISDICTION CRIMINAL BAIL APPLICATION NO.3207 OF 2025 Ramdhani @ Pancham Chhangur Gupta ...Applicant
Versus
State of Maharashtra and Anr.
...Respondents
Mr. S.S. Tiwari, for the Applicant.
Ms. Sangeeta D. Shinde, APP for the Respondent - State. API - Yogesh Kakad, Narpoli Police Station, present.
CORAM:
R. M. JOSHI, J.
DATED:
23RD APRIL, 2026.
PC:- 1.
The Applicant seeks his release on bail in connection with CR No.156 of 2019 dated 19th March, 2019, registered with Narpoli Police Station, for offence punishable under Section 302 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860.
2.
In short it is the case of the prosecution that the Applicant committed murder of the deceased on 18th March, 2019. This is the case of circumstantial evidence as the incident in question has not been witnessed by anyone. On conclusion of investigation the charge-sheet has been filed. The Applicant was arrested on 19th March, 2019 and since then he is in jail. 3.
The Applicant seeks his release solely on the ground of long incarceration. Learned counsel for the Applicant submits that the charge has been framed on 18th November, 2025, however, till
date not a single witness has been examined. He makes a statement that no summons have been issued to anyone. 4.
Learned APP opposed the application but she was unable to point out anything indicating that even summons was issued to any witness after framing of the charge. 5.
The Applicant is arrested on 19th March, 2019 and since then he is in jail. There is nothing on record to show that the trial was delayed on account of any act on the part of the Applicant. There are 49 witnesses to be examined by the prosecution. After framing of the charge on 18th November, 2025 even witness summons have not been issued to any of the witness. Having regard to these facts this Court has no reason to believe that the trial in the case would get over in a reasonable period of time. Hence, only on the ground of long incarceration the Applicant deserves bail. Hence, following order.
ORDER
i) The Bail Application stands allowed.
ii) In connection with CR No.156 of 2019 dated 19th March, 2019, registered with Narpoli Police Station, the Applicant be enlarged on bail on furnishing PR Bond of Rs.30,000/- with one or two sureties in the like amount, to the satisfaction of the Trial Court.
iii) The Applicant shall not tamper with or interfere with the prosecution evidence in any manner whatsoever.
6.
It is made clear that the observations made herein are prima facie and are confined to this Application and the learned Trial Judge to decide the case on its own merits, uninfluenced by the observations made herein.
(R. M. JOSHI, J.) {