Aanand @ Snehjeet Namdev Panchamukh v. State Of Maharashtra

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY CRIMINAL APPELLATE JURISDICTION CRIMINAL BAIL APPLICATION NO. 4000 OF 2025 Aanand @ Snehjeet Namdev Panchamukh ... Applicant

Versus

State Of Maharashtra ... Respondent by NILAM SANTOSH KAMBLE Date: 2026.01.20 11:31:04 +0530 ________________________________________________________ NILAM SANTOSH KAMBLE Mr.Chaitanya Mulawkar a/w Mr.Nilesh Waghmode, for the Applicant. Mr.B.B. Kulkarni, APP for Respondent-State.

________________________________________________________ CORAM : SHIVKUMAR DIGE, J.

DATE : 17th JANUARY, 2026 P.C. :

.

By this Application, Applicant is seeking regular bail in Crime No.393 of 2019 registered with Vishrantwadi Police Station, Pune, for the offences punishable under Sections 302, 143, 147 and

149. of the Indian Penal Code, 1860 ('IPC' for short), Sections 4 and 25 of the Arms Act, Section 37(1) read with Section 135 of the Maharashtra Police Act.

2.

It is prosecution's case that, on 8th December 2019 around 8.40 p.m., the Applicant and co-accused murdered the deceased by

assaulting him with stone and sharp weapon. It is alleged that the Applicant had motive to kill the deceased as he had land dispute with the deceased.

3.

It is contention of learned counsel for the Applicant that the Applicant is behind bars for more than 6 years. There is no progress in the trial. All co-accused having similar allegations have been released on bail except the Applicant. The Applicant has no antecedents. It may take time to conclude the trial, and requested to allow the Application.

4.

It is contention of learned APP that the Applicant had motive to kill the deceased as he had financial dispute with the deceased. There are eye witnesses to the incident. The Trial is in progress. Two prosecution witnesses have been examined. There is recovery of sickle at the instance of the Applicant. If Applicant released on bail, he may abscond or threaten prosecution witnesses. Hence, requested to reject the Application.

5.

I have heard both learned counsel. Perused charge-sheet and documents produced on record.

6.

There are total six accused in present crime. Five accused

having similar allegations like the Applicant have been released on bail except the Applicant. The Applicant is behind bars for more than six years and one month. Though only two witnesses have been examined, co-accused having similar allegations have been released on bail. Hence, the Applicant is entitled for bail on principle of parity and I pass following order.

ORDER

(i) The Applicant-Aanand @ Snehjeet Namdev Panchamukh, be released on bail in Crime No.393 of 2019 registered with Vishrantwadi Police Station, Pune, on furnishing PR bond of Rs.25,000/- with one or two solvent sureties in the like amount.

(ii) The Applicant shall not tamper with the evidence and/or influence the prosecution witnesses.

(iii) The Trial Court shall decide the case on its own merits and in accordance with law, uninfluenced by the observations made in this order.

(iv) The Applicant shall attend concerned Police Station as and when required.

(v) Application is allowed in the aforesaid terms. (SHIVKUMAR DIGE, J.)