Ishwarsingh Ranjitsingh Rajput v. The State Of Maharashtra

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY

by HARISH VITHAL CHAUDHARI Date:

2026.04.22 19:51:53 +0530 CIRCUIT BENCH AT KOLHAPUR HARISH VITHAL CHAUDHARI CRIMINAL APPELLATE JURISDICTION ANTICIPATORY BAIL APPLICATION NO. 2540 OF 2025 Ishwarsingh Ranjitsingh Rajput ...Applicant

VERSUS

The State Of Maharashtra ...Respondent *** Ms. Sakshi Jankar a/w Kaustubh Marathe (Through V. C. ) for the Applicant.

Mr. S. H. Yadav for Non-Applicant-State.

PSI Sardar Patil, Sawantwadi Police Station.

***

CORAM

:

M. W. CHANDWANI, J.

DATE :

21st APRIL, 2026.

P.C.

1.

The applicant apprehending arrest in connection with Crime No.223/2025 registered with Police Station, Sawantwadi, Dist. Sindhudurg for the offences punishable under Sections 65(a), 65(e), 81 and 83 of the Maharashtra Prohibition Act, 1949 and under Sections 316(2), 318(2), 336(2), 336(3), 340(2) and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023. 2.

Heard the learned counsel for the applicant and learned APP for the non-applicant State.

3.

Having gone through the case diary, it appears that when complainant Hanumant Bhosale, Police Inspector, Crime Branch Sindhudurg was on patrolling duty, he noticed a white colored fortuner car proceeding towards Sawantwadi Railway Station. Getting suspicious of the said car, the complainant intercepted it. During search of the said car, fake liquor was found, which was seized by preparing panchnama. On inquiry with the driver of the said vehicle, the names of the other co-accused

including the present applicant,who was involved in transporting fake liquor came to be revealed.

4.

It is contended that the role assigned to the present applicant is that he provided the number plate of his car to be affixed on the fortuner car for transporting fake liquor. It appears that the raid is already conducted and fake liquor has already been seized. The investigation further reveals that the number plate of the car of the applicant is also seized. Nothing is required to be seized from the applicant. The applicant was protected by the order of the Trial Court, which was continued by this Court vide order dated 24.12.2025.

5.

So far as the contention of the learned APP regarding the applicant having criminal antecedents is concerned, that cannot be the sole ground for rejecting the application, if the applicant is otherwise found entitled for grant of anticipatory bail.

6.

Considering the nature of allegations against the present applicant as well as the fact that the investigation is almost completed, a case is made out for grant of anticipatory bail to the applicant. Hence the order:

I.

Application is allowed.

II.

In the event of arrest of applicant - Ishwarsingh Ranjitsingh Rajput in connection with crime No.223/2025, registered with Police Station, Sawantwadi, Dist. Sindhudurg for the offences punishable under Sections 65(a), 65(e) 81 and 83 of the Maharashtra Prohibition Act, 1949 and under Sections 316(2) 318(2), 336(2), 336(3) 340(2) and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, he be released on bail on

furnishing a PR bond of Rs.25,000/- with one solvent surety in the like amount.

III.

The applicant shall attend the concerned police station as and when directed and co-operate in the investigation. IV.

The Applicant shall not indulge in tampering with the prosecution evidence or threaten the prosecution witnesses in any manner.

7.

With this, the application stands disposed of. [M. W. CHANDWANI, J.]