Sandeep Nanasaheb Pawar And Others v. The State Of Maharashtra And Another

2026:BHC-AUG:20528 {1}

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY

BENCH AT AURANGABAD ANTICIPATORY BAIL APPLICATION NO. 644 OF 2026 Sandeep Nanasaheb Pawar And Others ....Applicant

VERSUS

The State Of Maharashtra And Another .....Respondent .....

Advocate for Applicant : Mr. Nagargoje Ankush Nivrutti APP for Respondents: Mr. A.S. Shinde.

CORAM : MEHROZ K. PATHAN, J.

DATE : 4th MAY, 2026.

P.C. :- 1.

The applicants have approached this Court seeking anticipatory bail in Crime No. 81 of 2026, registered at Anandnagar Police Station, District Dharashiv, for the offences punishable under Sections 118-1, 118-2, 115-2, 352, 351-2, 351-3, 189, 190, 191-2 of the Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita and under Section 4/25 of the Arms Act and Section 135 of the Maharashtra Police Act 2.

The case of the prosecution is that on 12.3.2026, at about 8.00 p.m., one Satish Pawar dashed his motorcycle against the motorcycle of the informant's brother - Rushikesh. Thereafter, Satish Pawar and Sunny Pawar assaulted Rushikesh with fist and kick blows. Rushikesh immediately informed the informant; over the phone, upon which the informant rushed to the spot. However, Satish and Sunny Pawar also assaulted the informant by giving blows on the chest, causing bodily injuries. Consequently, informant was admitted to Suvidha Hospital, Dharashiv for medical treatment. While at the hospital, the applicants assaulted the informant, his maternal uncle Pradip Munde, his brother Sushant Dhanaji Jadhav and Balraje Munde using kicks, an iron

{2} rod, a sword and tiles. Specifically, Sunny Pawar attacked the informant with a sickle and Ramesh Pawar struck him on the head with a tommy. Accused Ratnadeep Pawar assaulted Pradip Munde with a knife, while accused Malhar Pawar struck Pradip Munde on the head with an iron rod. Accused Dhanraj Pawar also assaulted the informant's cousin. Furthermore, the informant's brother Sushant Jadhav was attacked with iron rod. Accused Shriraj assaulted Sushant Jadhav with a sword on his head. Accused Pranil Rankhamb assaulted the informant's friend Sujit Munde with a sickle on his head. Accused Satish Pawar struck Balraje Munde on the head with a tile. On seeing the altercation, people gathered on the spot and called the police. Accused fled away. Subsequently, on 18.3.2026, the police recorded the informant's statement at the hospital. Based on his statement, Crime No. 81 of 2026 was registered at Anandnagar, Dharashiv.

3.

Mr. Nagargoje, the learned counsel for the applicant submits that the plain reading of the FIR would show that the assault is attributed to Sunny Pawar, Ramesh Pawar, Ratnadeep Pawar, Malhar Pawar, Dhanraj Pawar, Shriraj Pawar and Pravin Rankhamb. 4.

The present applicants, namely, Sandeep, Sangram, Mangesh, Prakash and Ritesh Pawar, who had been to the hospital to meet the patient have been falsely implicated in the present crime only with an intention to wreak vengeance against all the group members of the other co-accused. The other accused , namely, Shriraj Pawar has lodged an FIR for the same offence against informant Aniruddha @ Appa Shendge, accused Hrishikesh and others for the same offence dated 13.3.2026 which is registered as FIR No. 78 of 2026 dated 15.3.2026. The applicants are not attributed any specific overt act and are alleged to have played a general role of assault. The applicants are not having any criminal antecedents and are ready to abide by any conditions that may

{3} be imposed by this Court. Hence, the applicants may be protected. 5.

As against this, the learned APP Mr. Shinde, strongly opposes the application on the ground that the applicants are involved in a serious offence of voluntarily causing grievous hurt by means of dangerous weapon. The offence is punishable with life imprisonment. The applicants are directly named in the present FIR being the members of the unlawful assembly formed with a common object of causing grievous hurt by means of dangerous weapons. Some of the accused are arrested, however, other accused are still absconding. There is a rivalry between two groups. There are counter FIRs filed against each other. The applicants, if released on bail, may again indulge into cognizable offences and thereby create a law and order problem. Hence, the application may be rejected.

6.

I have gone through the investigation papers made available by the learned APP. The investigation papers show the injuries sustained by Sushant, Aniket, Pratap, Balraj and Sujit. The FIR itself specifically attributes specific role of assault to ther co-accused of assaulting the members of the complainant party. There appears to be rivalry between two groups. There are counter FIRs registered against each other. In FIR No. 78 of 2026, registered on the same date i.e. 15.3.2026, the present complainant Aniket @ Appa Shendge is also one of the accused. The applicants are only attributed general role. The applicants are not having any criminal antecedents and are ready to abide by any conditions that may be imposed by this Court. Hence, I am inclined to protect the applicants. Hence, the following order :- O R D E R.

[I] In the event of arrest of the applicants, in connection with Crime No.81 of 2026, registered at Anandnagar Police Station, District Dharashiv, for the offences punishable under Sections 118-1, 118-2, 115-2, 352, 351-2, 351-3, 189,

{4} 190, 191-2 of the Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita and under Section 4/25 of the Arms Act and Section 135 of the Maharashtra Police Act, the applicants :- [i] Sandeep Nanasaheb Pawar, [ii] Sangram Prakash Pawar [iii] Mangesh Babasaheb Bhosale [iv] Prakash Kisanrao Pawar and [v] Ritesh Ramesh Pawar be released on bail on furnishing PR Bond in the sum of Rs. 50,000/- each, with one or more sureties in the like amount, on the following conditions :- [a] The applicants shall attend the concerned police station and report to the Investigating Officer on 9th, 10th, 16th and 17th May, 2026 between 11.00 a.m. to 1.00 p.m. and thereafter, on every Sunday till framing of charge by the trial court and shall cooperate with the investigation. [b] The applicants shall not enter the jurisdiction of Anandnagar Police Station,District Dharashiv, till framing of charge by the trial court, except for attendance as stated hereinbelow.

[c] The applicants shall not tamper with the prosecution evidence.

[d] The applicants shall submit their Aadhar and Pan card to the Investigating Officer alongwith mobile numbers and addresses of two of their near relatives.

[e] The application stands disposed of.

[MEHROZ K. PATHAN] JUDGE.

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