Bapu Jagannath Sonawane v. State Of Maharashtra

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY CRIMINAL APPELLATE JURISDICTION BAIL APPLICATION NO. 4700 OF 2025 Bapu Jagannath Sonawane ....Applicant versus The State of Maharashtra ....Respondent _________________________________________________________________ Mr. Sarfaraj J. Shaikh i/b. Mr. Sachin S. Gite, Advocate for Applicant. Ms. Ranjana D. Humane, APP for Respondent-State. _________________________________________________________________

CORAM

: SHIVKUMAR DIGE, J.

DATE : 20th FEBRUARY, 2026.

P.C. :

1.

By this application, the applicant is seeking regular bail in Crime No. 244 of 2025 registered with Ambad Police Station, District Nashik, for the offences punishable under Sections 103(1), 115(2), 352 and 351(2) and Section 3(5) of the the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 and Section 3(2)(v) of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989.

2.

It is prosecution's case that on 2nd April 2025, at around 1:30 p.m., the applicant assaulted the deceased with an iron stick on the ground of a dispute over the price of a gutkha/Gaichap tobacco pouch. 3.

It is contention of learned counsel for the applicant that the Digitally signed by SHUBHADA SHANKAR KADAM Date:

2026.02.24 10:48:56 +0530 SHUBHADA SHANKAR KADAM applicant is a handicapped person and is 59 years old. The incident

occurred due to sudden quarrel. The applicant had no intention to kill the deceased. The applicant is behind bars for more than 10 months. Hence, requested to allow the application.

4.

It is contention of the learned APP that the applicant assaulted the deceased on the head with a hockey stick. There are eyewitnesses to the incident. If the applicant is released on bail, he may abscond. Hence, requested to reject the application.

5.

I have heard both learned counsel, perused charge-sheet and documents produced on record. The applicant is a handicapped person. It appears from the record that the incident occurred due to a sudden quarrel. The applicant is behind bars for more than 10 months. There is no progress in the trial. It may take time to conclude the trial. Considering these facts, I pass the following order;

ORDER

(i) The applicant be enlarged on bail in Crime No. 244 of 2025 registered with Ambad Police Station, District 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.)