Shankar Onkarsingh Varma v. State Of Maharashtra

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY

CRIMINAL APPELLATE JURISDICTION ANTICIPATORY BAIL APPLICATION NO.3139 OF 2025 Shankar Onkarsingh Varma ...Applicant

Versus

The State of Maharashtra

...Respondent

Mr. Sachin Deokar a/w. Mr. Vighnesh Ashokan, for the Applicant. Mr. S. A. Karmakar, APP, for the Respondent-State. Ms. Zendage, PSI, attached to Shirur Police Station, Pune Rural, Pune, present.

CORAM:

MADHAV J. JAMDAR, J.

DATED :

19th NOVEMBER 2025 PC:- 1.

Heard Mr. Deokar, learned Counsel appearing for the Applicant and Mr. Karmakar, learned APP appearing for the Respondent-State.

2.

This application is filed under Section 482 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 seeking pre-arrest bail in connection with C.R. No.674 of 2025 registered with Shirur Police Station, Pune Rural, Pune, for the offences punishable under Sections 331(4), 305, 324(4) and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023.

3.

The role attributed to the present Applicant is that his son has purchased gold and silver which is stolen property and that the same has been kept with the Applicant.

4.

Mr. Deokar, learned Counsel appearing for the Applicant submits that 56 grams silver has been recovered from the son. The Applicant is not involved in the crime. The Applicant has been granted interim protection by order dated 15th October 2025 passed by the learned Additional Sessions Judge, Pune in Criminal Bail Application No.7064 of 2025 and the same has been rejected as on one occasion, the Applicant has failed to remain present. He submits that the Applicant has no antecedents. 5.

On the other hand, Mr. Karmakar, learned APP strongly opposes the Anticipatory Bail Application. He submits that the offence is very serious and that the stolen property is yet to be recovered and there is only recovery of 56 grams silver. Therefore, custodial interrogation of the Applicant is necessary. He submits that the pre-arrest bail be not granted. Mr. Karmakar, learned APP, on instructions, submits that the Applicant has no antecedents.

6.

Perusal of the record shows that the Applicant's name is not mentioned in the FIR. The only role attributed to the Applicant is that the Applicant's son has purchased the gold and silver which is stolen property. Learned Additional Sessions Judge, Pune has granted interim protection to the Applicant on 15th October 2025 and thereafter the Anticipatory Bail Application is rejected by the order dated 10th November 2025. The Applicant has no antecedents.

7.

Accordingly, the case is made out for grant of Anticipatory Bail by imposing certain conditions. In view thereof, the following order is passed:

O R D E R

(a) In the event of arrest of the Applicant-Shankar Onkarsingh Varma in connection with C.R. No.674 of 2025 registered with the Shirur Police Station, Pune Rural, Pune, the Applicant is directed to be released on bail on his furnishing P.R. Bond in the sum of Rs.1,00,000/- with one or two solvent sureties in the like amount.

(b) The Applicant shall attend the Shirur Police Station, Pune Rural, Pune, on 26th November 2025, 27th November 2025 and 28th November 2025 between 11:00 a.m. to 02:00 p.m. and the Applicant shall cooperate with the investigation. (c) The Applicant shall attend the Shirur Police Station, Pune Rural, Pune, on every Sunday between 11:00 a.m. to 01:00 p.m. till filing of the chargesheet and shall cooperate with the investigation.

(d) The Applicant shall furnish his cell phone number and residential address to the Investigating Officer and shall keep the same updated, in case of any change thereto.

(e) The Applicant shall not directly or indirectly make any inducement, threat, or promise to any person acquainted with the facts of the case so as to dissuade such a person from disclosing the facts to the Court or to any Police personnel.

(f) The Applicant shall not tamper with the prosecution evidence and shall not contact or influence the

Complainant or any witness in any manner.

(g) The Applicant shall not leave India without prior permission of the Court.

8.

The Anticipatory Bail Application is disposed of accordingly. [MADHAV J. JAMDAR, J.] Digitally signed by SONALI MILIND PATIL Date:

2025.11.19 18:25:47 +0530 SONALI MILIND PATIL