Umesh Ankush Mhaske v. The State Of Maharashtra

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY CRIMINAL APPELLATE JURISDICTION CRIMINAL BAIL APPLICATION NO. 3526 OF 2025 Umesh Ankush Mhaske ... Applicant/s

Versus

The State of Maharashtra ... Respondent/s ____________________________________________________________ Mr. Akshay Bankapur, Advocate for the Applicant. Mr. Prashant P. Jadhav, APP for Respondent-State. _________________________________________________________________

CORAM

: SHIVKUMAR DIGE, J.

DATE : 16th JANUARY, 2026.

P.C. :

1.

By this application, the applicant is seeking regular bail in Crime No. 163 of 2022 registered with Satpur Police Station, Nashik, for the offences punishable under Sections 364A, 386, 384 read with 34 of the Indian Penal Code 1860.

2.

It is prosecution's case that on 29th June 2022, around 8:20 p.m. seven unknown persons kidnapped the first informant in an Ertiga car. They took ransom from him by showing a knife. It is alleged that, due to the threat by the applicant and co-accused, the first informant gave Rs.20,00,000/- to the applicant and co-accused. 3.

It is contention of learned counsel for the applicant that, except SHUBHADA SHANKAR KADAM the applicant, the co-accused have been released on bail, hence, the applicant is entitled to bail on the principle of parity. SHUBHADA SHANKAR KADAM Date: 2026.01.19 18:46:56 +0530

4.

It is contention of learned APP that the applicant was actively involved in the crime. He played a main role in the said kidnapping and ransom. If he is released on bail, he may abscond and threaten prosecution witnesses, and requested to reject the application. 5.

I have heard both learned counsel, perused the charge sheet, and the documents produced on record. All the co-accused, except the applicant, have been released on bail. The allegations in the FIR against all the co-accused are the same. Considering these fact, the applicant is entitled to bail on the principle of parity, and I pass the following order:

ORDER

(i) The applicant be enlarged on bail in Crime No. 163 of 2022 registered with Satpur Police Station, 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.)