Ajt M. Prasad v. State Of Maharashtra And ORS

18.1012.26-wp.docx

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY

CRIMINAL APPELLATE JURISDICTION CRIMINAL WRIT PETITION NO.1012 OF 2026 Mr. Ajit Prasad .. Petitioner Vs.

State of Maharashtra & Ors.

.. Respondents ...

Digitally signed by BASAVRAJ GURAPPA PATIL Date:

2026.03.26 18:57:26 +0530 BASAVRAJ GURAPPA PATIL Ms. Lakshmi Raman i/b. Mr. Datta Mane and Ms. Sanjali Bidwe, Advocates for the Petitioner Mrs. M. M. Deshmukh, In-charge Public Prosecutor with Mr. K. V. Saste, Additional Public Prosecutor for the Respondent No.1-State Ms. Tanaya Patankar and Mr. K. G. Mhatre i/b. Mhatre & Associates, Advocates for Respondent Nos.3 and 4 Mr. R. S. Bade, Advocates for Respondent No.5 CORAM : SHREE CHANDRASHEKHAR, CJ & GAUTAM ANKHAD, J.

DATE : 26th MARCH 2026 P.C. :

A report from the Principal Judge, City Civil & Sessions Court, Mumbai has been placed on record. The reasons given in the said report for not disposing of the discharge applications are unsatisfactory. The Magistrate who is seized with these applications seems to have overlooked the consequence of delay in disposing of the discharge applications.

2.

Ms. Tanaya Patankar, the learned counsel appears for the respondent nos.3 & 4 and states that it was not that these respondent-accused persons have been seeking adjournments and that is the reason the discharge applications have yet not been decided. Mr. R. S. Bade, the learned counsel for the respondent no.5-complainant states that he has already filed a written note of arguments.

bgp Page | 1

18.1012.26-wp.docx 3.

The Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate, 47th Court, Esplanade, Mumbai, is therefore, directed to hear the discharge applications on 1st April 2026. On that day, the parties shall not seek adjournment for any reason whatsoever. However, if for any reason, the parties have a genuine difficulty, the matter shall be heard on 2nd April 2026. The decision on the discharge applications must be delivered on or before 10th April 2026. 3.

Post this matter on 16th April 2026.

[GAUTAM ANKHAD, J.] [CHIEF JUSTICE] bgp Page | 2