Rohit Shivraju Sonone v. The State Of Maharashtrra

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY CRIMINAL APPELLATE JURISDICTION CRIMINAL BAIL APPLICATION NO. 4343 OF 2025 Rohit Shivraju Sonone ... Applicant

Versus

The State of Maharashtra ... Respondent ____________________________________________________________ by NILAM SANTOSH KAMBLE Date:

2026.02.27 18:56:51 +0530 NILAM SANTOSH KAMBLE Mr.Manan Shah, for the Applicant.

Mr.M.G. Patil, APP for Respondent-State.

____________________________________________________________ CORAM : SHIVKUMAR DIGE, J.

DATE : 26th FEBRUARY 2026 P.C. :

.

By this Application, the Applicant is seeking regular bail in Crime No.243 of 2022 registered with Khandeshwar Police Station, Navi Mumbai, for the offences punishable under Sections 302 read with Section 120B read with Section 34 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860 ('IPC' for short). 2.

It is prosecution's case that the Applicant and co-accused murdered the deceased by assaulting her with knife. It is alleged that the contract to kill the deceased was given to the Applicant and co-accused. 3.

It is contention of learned counsel for the Applicant that the coaccused Pravin Ghadge having similar allegations has been released on bail.

The Applicant is behind bars for more than three years and five months. The Applicant has no antecedents. There is no progress in trial, and requested to allow the Application.

4.

It is contention of learned APP that the Applicant and coaccused assaulted the deceased with knife and murdered her. On the day of the incident, the Applicant was seen in the CCTV footage following the deceased. The Applicant has four antecedents. There is progress in trial. If the Applicant released on bail, he may abscond or threaten 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 co-accused Pravin Ghadge having similar allegations like the Applicant has been released on bail. The main allegations are against the coaccused Pankaj Yadav. Hence, the Applicant is entitled for bail on principle of parity and I pass following order.

7.

Considering these facts, I pass following order.

ORDER

(i) The Applicant be released on bail in Crime No.243 of 2022 registered with Khandeshwar Police Station, Navi

Mumbai, 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 the concerned Police Station as and when required.

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