George Mathen v. State Of Maharashtra

Gitalaxmi 909-WP-209-2026.doc

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY

CRIMINAL APPELLATE JURISDICTION WRIT PETITION NO. 209 OF 2026 Mr. George Mathen

...Petitioner

Versus

The State of Maharashtra

...Respondent

__________ Mr. Eshaan Saroop i/b Mr. Hoshang S. Tafti, learned Advocate for the Petitioner.

Mr. Kiran C. Shinde, learned A.P.P. for the State/Respondent. __________ CORAM :

ASHWIN D. BHOBE, J.

DATE :

22nd JANUARY 2026.

P.C. :

1.

Heard Mr. Eshaan Saroop, learned Advocate for the Petitioner and Mr. Kiran Shinde, learned A.P.P. for the State/Respondent. 2.

Mr. Eshaan Saroop, learned Advocate for the Petitioner submits that by order dated 20.11.2017, the Petitioner was released on bail subject to the conditions mentioned in the said order. He submits that Condition No. 5 of the said order requires the Petitioner to deposit his passport to the Investigating Officer, whereas Condition No. 3 of the said order requires the Petitioner not to leave India without prior permission of the Court. He submits that the Petitioner has applied to the Trial Court for permission to travel abroad on several occasions and the Trial Court had granted him the permission.

Gitalaxmi 909-WP-209-2026.doc 3.

Perusal of the order impugned in the present Petition, i.e. the order dated 04.10.2025, makes a reference to allegations of Petitioner having two passports and the Petitioner being a flight risk in this matter. Those observations are in paragraph nos. 4 & 8 of the orders dated 04.10.2025.

4.

Mr. Kiran Shinde, learned A.P.P. for the State/Respondent submits that he will take instructions from the Investigating Officer on both the said issues viz. Whether the Petitioner possesses two passports and whether the Investigating Officer has reasonable apprehension of the Petitioner being a flight risk. He states that the instructions would be taken within a day and reported to the Court. He requests for listing of this matter on 23.01.2026. 5.

At the request of Mr. Kiran Shinde, learned A.P.P. for the State/Respondent and by consent of the parties, list the matter on 23rd January 2026.

[ASHWIN D. BHOBE, J.] by GITALAXMI KRISHNA KOTAWADEKAR Date:

2026.01.22 19:36:14 +0530 GITALAXMI KRISHNA KOTAWADEKAR