Karan Gurunath Rathod v. The State Of Mahrashtra

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY CRIMINAL APPELLATE JURISDICTION CRIMINAL BAIL APPLICATION NO. 4116 OF 2025 Karan Gurunath Rathod ... Applicant

Versus

The State of Maharashtra ... Respondent by NILAM SANTOSH KAMBLE Date: 2026.03.09 18:06:37 +0530 ____________________________________________________________ NILAM SANTOSH KAMBLE Mr.Rahul Yadav a/w Mr.Mohammad Shaikh, for the Applicant. Mr.P.P. Jadhav, APP for Respondent-State.

Mr.Kasture, PSI, Bhosari Police Station.

____________________________________________________________ CORAM : SHIVKUMAR DIGE, J.

DATE : 05th MARCH 2026 P.C. :

.

By this Application, the Applicant is seeking regular bail in Crime No.580 of 2023 registered with Bhosari Police Station, Pune for the offences punishable under Sections 397, 394, 427, 504 and 506 read with Section 34 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860 ('IPC' for short), Section 4(25) of the Arms Act, Section 37(1) read with Section 135 of the Maharashtra Police Act, Section 3 and 7 of the Criminal Law Amendment Act, Sections 3(1)(ii) and 3(4) of the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act, 1999 ('MCOCA' for short).

2.

It is prosecution's case that on 13th July 2023, the Applicant and co-accused assaulted the First Informant with weapon and wooden bat when First Informant refused to pay ransom.

3.

It is contention of learned counsel for the Applicant that the coaccused Prathamesh Kamble, having similar allegations has been released on bail. The Applicant is behind bars for more than two years and seven months, and requested to allow the Application. 4.

It is contention of learned APP that, the Applicant and coaccused assaulted the First Informant who was hawker and selling egg bhurji on cart. It is submitted that the Applicant and co-accused were asking for ransom from First Informant, when he refused to pay ransom, they assaulted him. If the Applicant released on bail, he may abscond or threaten First Informant and prosecution witnesses, and requested to reject the Application.

5.

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

6.

The Applicant is behind bars for more than two years and seven months. There is no progress in trial. It may take time to conclude the trial. The co-accused Prathamesh Kamble having similar allegations, has been released on bail. Hence, the Applicant is entitled for bail on principle of

parity and I pass following order.

ORDER

(i) The Applicant be released on bail in Crime No.580 of 2023 registered with Bhosari 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 enter in the Pune District till conclusion of the trial.

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

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

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

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