Pandit Eknath Deokar And ANR v. State Of Maharashtra

Digitally signed by CHITRA SANJAY SONAWANE Date:

2025.07.17 21:24:50 +0530 CHITRA SANJAY SONAWANE Chitra Sonawane 908-aba-1939-25.doc

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY

CRIMINAL APPELLATE JURISDICTION Anticipatory Bail Application No.1939 of 2025

1. Pandit Eknath Deokar Age: 32 yrs Occ: Agriculturist R/at Babhulsar Khrud, Karegaon Pune- 412220

2. Ranjit Balkrushna Walke Age: 29 yrs, Occ: Agriculturist R/at Babhulsar Khrud Karegoan, Pune 412220 ... Applicants.

Vs.

The State of Maharashtra (through Shirur police station) ... Respondent.

--- Mr AR Chikate a/w Mr Tanmay Kate i/by VV Dushing and SS Kharat for the applicant.

Mr SS Pednekar, APP for the respondent / State. PSI Chubham Chavan, Shirur Police Station, Pune Rural. --- Coram : R.N.Laddha, J.

Date : 16 July 2025.

P.C. :

By this application, the applicant seeks pre-arrest bail in connection with CR No.132 of 2025, registered at Shirur Police Station, Pune Rural, for offences punishable under Sections 118(1), 118(2), 119(2), 324(4), 351(2), 351(3), Page No. 1 of 4

Chitra Sonawane 908-aba-1939-25.doc 352 read with 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023. 2.

The prosecution alleges that on 21 February 2025 around 3:30 p.m., the informant and his friends were heading to IMB Company Bank when co-accused Vaibhav Mahadik and Shubham Divekar stopped them, threatened the informant with a revolver, and assaulted him. Shortly after, two more cars arrived, from which the applicants and others emerged and also assaulted the group.

3.

The learned Counsel for the applicant submits that the applicants have been falsely implicated in a crime. There is an inordinate and unexplained delay in filing the FIR. The co-accused have already been granted bail. The applicants neither carried weapons nor caused any injury to the informant. The only allegation against the applicant is that he used the abusive language during the incident. 4.

The learned APP, on instructions from the investigating officer, fairly submits that the investigation with respect to the present applicant has been concluded. He further submits that nothing is to be recovered or discovered from the applicant.

Page No. 2 of 4

Chitra Sonawane 908-aba-1939-25.doc 5.

Upon perusing the records, it appears that the only allegation against the applicants is that they assaulted the informant by means of fists and kicks. The co-accused is alleged to have assaulted the informant using the rear end of a pistol before the applicants' arrival at the scene. There is no allegation that the applicants were armed or used any weapon during the alleged incident. Furthermore, the investigation, insofar as it pertains to the present applicants, has been concluded, and there is no requirement for recovery or discovery of any material evidence at the their instance.

6.

In view of the foregoing circumstances, this Court finds it appropriate to grant the anticipatory bail to the applicant. Accordingly, the application is allowed on the following terms :

(i) In the event of the applicants'

arrest in connection with CR No.132 of 2025, registered at Shirur Police Station, Pune Rural, they shall be released on bail upon executing a PR Bond of Rs.25,000/- each and furnishing one or more sureties in the like amount.

Page No. 3 of 4

Chitra Sonawane 908-aba-1939-25.doc (ii) The applicants shall attend the concerned Police Station as and when required by the investigating officer.

(iii) The applicants, themselves or through any other person, shall not indulge in any activity that may tamper with the evidence or influence witnesses.

7.

The application stands disposed of accordingly. [R. N. Laddha, J.] Page No. 4 of 4