Pankaj Vikram Patil v. The State Of Maharashtra

2026:BHC-AUG:18807 920(B)-Cri-Apln-1620-2026.odt

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE OF BOMBAY

BENCH AT AURANGABAD 920 CRIMINAL APPLICATION NO. 1620 OF 2026 IN APEAL/297/2026 PANKAJ VIKRAM PATIL

VERSUS

THE STATE OF MAHARASHTRA ....

Mr. Sachin S. Randive, Advocate for the Applicant Mr. V. V. Jahagirdar, APP for the Respondent - State ....

CORAM : ABHAY S. WAGHWASE, J.

DATE : April 28, 2026 PER COURT :- 1.

This is an application for suspension of substantive sentence and grant of bail on account of conviction awarded by the learned Special Judge, Dhule in Special (ACB) Case No.08 of 2017 by judgment and order dated 17.03.2026.

2.

Learned counsel for the applicant submits that the applicant was tried vide above Special (ACB) Case No.08 of 2017 by judgment and order dated 17.03.2026. He came to be convicted for the offence under Sections 7, 13(1)(d) of the Prevention of Corruption Act. He pointed out that the maximum

(( 2 )) 920(B)-Cri-Apln-1620-2026 sentence awarded by the trial Court is three years. The applicant is 65 years of age. He has preferred appeal against the judgment and order of conviction. The appeal is of 2026. He was on bail during trial. Fine amount is already said to be paid. He submits that the appeal may not be heard immediately. Therefore, he prays for suspension of sentence and grant of bail.

3.

Learned APP strongly opposed on the ground that on full fledged trial and on complete appreciation of evidence, guilt has been recorded.

4.

After considering the above submissions and on going through the record, it appears that the present applicant was tried vide special (ACB) Case No.08 of 2017 by judgment and order dated 17.03.2026 passed by the learned Special Judge Dhule for the offence under Sections 7, 13(1)(d) of the Prevention of Corruption Act and after appreciation of evidence, he is convicted against which apparently appeal has been preferred. The sentence awarded is of three years. The applicant is said to be 65 years of age. There being no prospects of hearing the appeal immediately in near future, relief as prayed deserves to be granted. Hence, the following order:-

(( 3 )) 920(B)-Cri-Apln-1620-2026

O R D E R

(i) Criminal Application stands allowed.

(ii) The substantive sentence imposed on the applicant Pankaj Vikram Patil by the learned Special Judge, Dhule in Special (ACB) Case No.08 of 2017 dated 17.03.2026 stands suspended till final hearing and disposal of Criminal Appeal No.297 of 2026.

(iii) The applicant be released on P.R. Bond of Rs.15,000/- (Rupees Fifteen thousand only) with two solvent sureties in the like amount.

(iv) The applicant shall not commit any criminal activity. (v) The applicant shall remain present before the learned trial Judge once in six months, till final hearing and disposal of the appeal, commencing from the date he tenders bail papers and thereafter, the trial Judge to fix dates for his subsequent appearances.

(vi) In case of two consecutive defaults on the part of the applicant to remain present before the trial Court, the trial Court to inform this Court about the same and in that eventuality, the prosecution would be at liberty to file an application for cancellation of the bail granted to the applicant.

(vii) Bail before the trial Court.

[ ABHAY S. WAGHWASE J. ] SMS