Gokula Vitthal Patil v. The State Of Maharashtra

VRJ

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY

CIRCUIT BENCH AT KOLHAPUR CRIMINAL APPELLATE JURISDICTION BAIL APPLICATION NO.3642 OF 2025 VAIBHAV RAMESH JADHAV by VAIBHAV RAMESH JADHAV Date: 2026.02.09 18:42:30 +0530 Gokula Vitthal Patil ... Applicant V/s.

The State of Maharashtra ... Respondent Mr. Satyavrat Joshi with Mr. Yash Fadtare, Mr. Sairaj S. and Vaibhav H. for the applicant.

Mr. Anand S. Shalgaonkar, APP for the State.

Mr. Nagesh Kamble, LCB, Sangli is present.

CORAM : MRS. VRUSHALI V. JOSHI, J.

DATED : FEBRUARY 9, 2026 P.C.:

1.

By the present application filed under Section 483 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, the applicant seeks regular bail in connection with FIR No. I-52 of 2025 registered with Vita Police Station, District Sangli, for the offences punishable under Sections 8(c), 21(c), 25 and 29 of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985.

2.

The prosecution case, in brief, is that upon receipt of confidential information, a raid was conducted, during which it was found that in MIDC Plot No. 43-A, admeasuring about 3

gunthas, situated at MIDC Karve, Taluka Khanapur, District Sangli, in the premises of Ramkrishna Hari Mauli Industries, MD Powder (a contraband substance) was being manufactured. In the said raid, six accused were taken into custody. The present applicant is the owner of the said premises. It is alleged that she had leased the property to accused No.1 on rent for the purpose of chemical trading business. Nevertheless, a crime came to be registered against her and she was taken into custody.

3.

Learned counsel for the applicant submits that the applicant was unaware of the nature of the chemicals being manufactured in the said premises. Accused Nos.2 to 7 are the actual manufacturers of the contraband substance. The applicant is merely the leaseholder and had given the premises on rent to accused No.1 for the purpose of chemical trading business. It is contended that she had no knowledge of any illegal activity being carried out therein. She has been in custody since February 2025 and her further custodial detention is not required. Hence, learned counsel prays that the applicant be released on bail.

4.

Learned APP vehemently opposed the application, submitting that the present applicant has prepared forged and

back-dated lease documents. Learned APP submits that the offences under Section 21(c) of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985 (punishable with rigorous imprisonment for not less than 10 years and which may extend to 20 years, and with fine) and Section 29 of the said Act (punishment for abetment and criminal conspiracy-same punishment as the principal offence) are attracted against the present applicant, as she is the owner of the premises. Considering the nature of the allegations and the role attributed to the applicant, learned APP prayed for rejection of the bail application. 5.

Heard learned counsel for the applicant and learned APP. 6.

The applicant is a lady and contends that she was unaware of the nature of the business being carried out in the premises which she had sub-let to the other accused. Merely on account of her being the owner of the said premises, she has been taken into custody. Having regard to the role attributed to the present applicant, a case is made out for granting bail to the applicant. 7.

Hence, following order is passed:

i) The bail application is allowed;

ii) The applicant - Gokula Vitthal Patil is directed to be released on regular bail in connection with FIR No. I-52 of 2025 registered with Vita Police Station, District Sangli, for the offences punishable under Sections 8(c), 21(c), 25 and 29 of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985, upon furnishing a personal bond of Rs.50,000/- with one or more solvent sureties in the like amount, to the satisfaction of the Trial Court, subject to the following conditions:

a) The applicant shall not tamper with the evidence or attempt to influence any witness.

b) The applicant shall attend all trial proceedings regularly and shall not delay the conduct of the trial. c) The applicant shall report to the Vita Police Station, District Sangli on the first Monday of every month between 10.00 a.m. and 12.00 noon, until further orders. d) The applicant shall not leave the territorial jurisdiction of Sangli District without prior permission of the learned Special Court.

e) The applicant shall furnish her current residential address and contact number(s), and shall inform the Court and Investigating Officer of any change.

f) The applicant shall not involve herself in any offence under the NDPS Act or any other penal law during the pendency of the trial.

g) If any of the above conditions are breached, it shall be open to the prosecution to seek cancellation of bail. 8.

The bail application is allowed and disposed of. (MRS. VRUSHALI V. JOSHI, J.)