Prashant Alias Datta Babasaheb Sonwane v. The State Of Maharashtra And Another

2026:BHC-AUG:16201 1 395 - 2026

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY

BENCH AT AURANGABAD BAIL APPLICATION NO. 395 OF 2026 Prashant @ Datta Babasaheb Sonwane Age - 22 years, Occupation - Agriculture, R/o. Shera, Tq. Renapur and Dist. Latur ...

Applicant

VERSUS

1] The State of Maharashtra, Through Officer Incharge, Police Station, Renapur, District - Latur 2] The Superintendent of Police, Latur, Dist. Latur ...

Respondents AND CRIMINAL APPLICATION NO. 1211 OF 2026 IN BA/395/2026 (Balbhim Anantrao Jadhav V. Prashant Alias Data Babasaheb Sonwane and anr.) ...

Advocate for Applicant : Mr. Sudarshan J. Salunke (395/2026) A.P.P. for Respondent/State : Mr. S.V. Hange Advocate for applicants : Mr. D.S. Patil (1211/2026)

CORAM

: SHAILESH P. BRAHME, J.

DATE : 15.04.2026 PER COURT :

Heard both sides.

2.

Criminal Application No. 1211 of 2026 is filed seeking to assist the APP. The Application is allowed.

3.

The applicant is seeking regular bail in connection with Crime No.01 of 2026 registered with Renapur Police Station, Dist. Latur for the offences punishable under Section 281, 125(a), 324(4), 109, 61, 3(5) of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, under section 184, 134, 177 of the Motor Vehicles Act. 1/3

2 395 - 2026 4.

It is reported that informant was being run over by a tempo in which he sustained injuries. It revealed that the motive for eliminating the informant was extra-marital relations of informant's wife with co-accused - Shrikant. It revealed from papers of investigation that role attributed to applicant is that he was asked to keep surveillance of position of the informant and he was part of conspiracy. He was arrested on 10.01.2026. Charge-sheet was filed on 14.03.2026. 5.

Learned counsel for the applicant submits that there is no incriminating material against the applicant. The motive can be attributable to co-accused, who is wife of the informant and her relations with main culprit - Shrikant. The coaccused - Hanumant has already been released on bail. No antecedents are reported against the applicant.

6.

Learned APP opposes the submissions. It is submitted that applicant and other co-accused persons are acting in collusion and they hatched a strategy to eliminate the informant by projecting it as an accident. The ground of parity cannot be attracted in the present case. It is submitted that CCTV footage is available to show the incriminating role of the applicant. It is not a fit case to grant any relief to the applicant.

7.

FIR does not spell out any role of the applicant. It is evident that coaccused Shrikant and wife of the informant were having extra-marital relations and they hatched a plan to eliminate the informant. The applicant was seen on the spot after the accident. No incriminating material is collected against him to show his participation for eliminating the informant. He had no independent motive against the informant.

8.

The role attributed to accused - Hanumant, is distinct. His status is identical to that of the applicant. Applicant is behind bars since 10.01.2026. His further incarceration is unwarranted.

9.

Hence, I pass the following order :-

ORDER

I] The Bail Application is allowed.

2/3

3 395 - 2026 II] The applicant shall be released on bail in connection with Crime No. 01 of 2026 registered with Renapur Police Station, Dist. Latur for the offences punishable under Section 281, 125(a), 324(4), 109, 61, 3(5) of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, under section 184, 134, 177 of the Motor Vehicles Act, on following conditions:

(a)The applicant shall furnish P.R. bond of Rs.30,000/- (Rs. Thirty Thousand only) with one solvent surety of like amount. (b)The applicant shall not tamper with prosecution evidence or contact with the prosecution witnesses.

(c)The applicant shall furnish his mobile/cell number and address to the investigating officer.

(d) The applicant shall co-operate for expeditious disposal of the trial.

(e) The applicant shall surrender his Adhaar / PAN cards, if any, to the Investigating Officer.

( SHAILESH P. BRAHME, J.) arp/- 3/3