Azaz Sheikh Rahim Sheikh v. The State Of Maharashtra Thr Police Station Officer Police Station, Butibori Nagpur

1 apeal54.2026111

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY

NAGPUR BENCH, NAGPUR.

CRIMINAL APPEAL NO.54/2026 AZAZ SHEIKH RAHIM SHEIKH VS THE STATE OF MAHARASHTRA, THROUGH POLICE STATION OFFICER, POLICE STATION BUTIBORI, NAGPUR AND ANOTHER ____________________________________________________________________________________________ Office Notes, Office Memoranda of Coram, appearances, Court's orders of directions Court's or Judge's order and Registrar's orders.

Mr. S.H. Mansuri, Advocate for the Appellant. Ms. S.S. Dhote, APP for the Respondent No.1/State. Ms. Alpana Ingolikar, Advocate h/f. Ms. Deepali Patil-Sahare, Advocate (appointed) for the Respondent No.2.

CORAM

:

NEERAJ P. DHOTE, J.

DATE :

07/03/ This is an Appeal under Section 14-A of the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989 (for short 'SC & ST Act') against the order dated 01/01/2026 passed by the learned Additional Sessions Judge and Special Judge, Nagpur, rejecting the Bail Application below Exh.272 in Special Case No.523/2020.

2.

Heard the learned counsel for the Appellant, the learned APP for the State and the learned counsel for the Respondent no. 2-victim. Perused the papers on record. 3.

It is submitted by the learned counsel for the Appellant that, the co-accused to whom similar role is attributed, has been released on bail by this Court in Criminal Appeal No.625/2024, decided on 06/12/2024,

2 apeal54.2026222 Cri. Appeal No.68/2025, decided on 07/11/2025, Cri. Appeal No.614/2025, decided on 30/01/2026 and Cri. Appeal No.579/2024, decided on 04/03/2026. He submits that, on the ground of parity, the Appellant is entitled for bail. Hence, the Appeal be allowed. He tenders across the bar the copies of said decisions.

4.

The Appeal is opposed by the learned APP for the State and learned counsel for Respondent No.2. They submit that, there is substantial progress in the trial and till date, thirteen (13) witnesses have been examined. They further submit that, there is recovery of weapon at the instances of the Appellant. Hence, the Appeal be dismissed. 5.

The case of the prosecution is that, on 06/08/2020, around 15 persons assaulted the deceased Badal and Ilias due to old enmity. In the assault, the weapon like knife and stones were used. The report was lodged with the concerned Police Station and Crime bearing No.437/2020, dated 07/08/2020 came to be registered for the offences punishable under Sections 143, 147, 148, 149, 324, 326, 504, 307 and 302 of the Indian Penal Code (for short, 'IPC'), for the offences punishable under Section 4 r/w. Section 25 of the Arms Act and for the offences punishable under Sections 3(2)(v), 3(2)(va) and 3(1)(r) of the SC & ST Act.

6.

Undisputedly, the co-accused by name Arbaj, Tikesh, Pawan and Shadab @ Munna are released on bail by this Court. There is nothing to show that, the role attributed to the Appellant was graver than the role attributed to the

3 apeal54.2026333 said co-accused, who are granted bail. On the ground of parity, the Appellant is entitled for bail on the same terms and conditions. Hence, the following order:-

ORDER

I) The Appeal is allowed.

II) The impugned order dated 01/01/2026 passed by learned Additional Sessions Judge, Special Judge, Nagpur below Exh.272 in Special Case No.523/2020, is hereby quashed and set aside.

III] The Appellant Azaz Sheikh Rahim Sheikh be released on bail in connection with Crime 437/2020 for the offences punishable under Sections 143, 147, 148, 149, 324, 326, 504, 307, 302 of the Indian Penal Code, under Section 4 read with 25 of the Arms Act and under Sections 3(2)(v), 3(2) (va) and 3(1)(r) of the SC and ST Act, on executing P.R. Bond of Rs.25,000/- with one surety in the like amount.

IV] The Appellant shall not tamper in any way with the prosecution evidence.

V] The Appellant shall attend the concerned Police Station on every Monday and Saturday between 1.00 p.m. to 2.00 p.m.

VI) The Appellant shall co-operate in the early disposal of the case.

VII) Bail before the Trial Court.

VIII) The fees of the learned Advocate appointed to

4 apeal54.2026444 represent the Respondent No.2-Victim is quantified for the Appeal at Rs.7,500/- [Rupees Seven Thousand Five Hundred Only], which shall be paid by the High Court Legal Services Sub-Committee, Nagpur.

IX) The Appeal stands disposed of in the above terms. (NEERAJ P. DHOTE, J.)

5 apeal54.2026555 Tambaskar.

Signed by: MR. N.V. TAMBASKAR Designation: PS To Honourable Judge Date: 07/03/2026 16:26:05