Atish @ Guddya Shantaram Chaudhari v. State Of Maharashtra

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY CRIMINAL APPELLATE JURISDICTION BAIL APPLICATION NO. 3274 OF 2025 Atish @ Guddya Shantaram Chaudhari ...Applicant

Versus

The State of Maharashtra

...Respondent

_________________________________________________________________ Mr. Himanshu Gavit and Mr. Saurabh Utangale i/b. Mr. Yogesh Ugale and Ms. Aditi Nirgude, Advocate for the Applicant. Mr. M. G. Patil, APP for Respondent-State.

PSI-Pradip Pawar, Satpur Police Station, Nashik. _________________________________________________________________

CORAM

: SHIVKUMAR DIGE, J.

DATE : 23rd JANUARY, 2026.

P.C. :

1.

By this application, the applicant is seeking regular bail in Crime No.425 of 2023 registered with Nashik Road Police Station, District Nashik, for the offences punishable under Sections 8(c), 22(c), 25, 27A and 29 of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985. 2.

It is prosecution's case that on 7th September 2023, on secret informant the police apprehended co-accused Ganesh Sharma. During the course of investigation, the present applicant and other co-accused were arrested in connection with the present crime as they were involved in SHUBHADA SHANKAR KADAM selling of Mephedrone.

SHUBHADA SHANKAR KADAM Date: 2026.01.28 11:15:58 +0530 3.

It is contention of learned counsel for the applicant that coaccused Prathamesh Mankar and Raja More, against whom similar

allegations are made, have been released on bail. The applicant is behind bars for more than two years and two months. There is no progress in the trial and requested to allow the application. 4.

It is contention of learned APP that there are statements of witnesses to whom the applicant had sold contraband. If the applicant is released on bail, he may abscond or threaten the prosecution witnesses and requested to reject the application.

5.

I have heard both learned counsel, perused the charge sheet, and documents produced on record. The applicant is behind bars for more than two years and two months. There is no progress in the trial. The coaccused-Prathamesh Mankar and Raja More, against whom similar allegations are made, have been released on bail, hence, the applicant is entitled to bail on the principle of parity. Considering these facts, I pass following order.

ORDER

(i) The applicant be enlarged on bail in Crime No.425 of 2023 registered with Nashik Road Police Station, District Nashik, on executing P.R.Bond in the sum of Rs.30,000/- with one or two sureties in the like amount.

(ii) The applicant shall attend the concerned police station as and when required.

(iii) The applicant shall not tamper with the evidence or attempt to influence or contact the complainant, witnesses or any person concerned with the case.

The application is allowed in the aforesaid terms and is accordingly disposed of.

6.

It is made clear that the above observations are made only for the purpose of granting bail and the Trial Court shall decide the case on its own merits in accordance with law and uninfluenced by the observations made in this order.

7.

All concerned to act on the authenticated copy of this order. (SHIVKUMAR DIGE, J.)