Sachin Dayanand Jadhav v. The State Of Maharashtra And ANR

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY CRIMINAL APPELLATE JURISDICTION CRIMINAL BAIL APPLICATION NO. 148 OF 2026 Krushna Ambadas Kadam ... Applicant

Versus

State Of Maharashtra ... Respondent _________________________________________________________________ by NILAM SANTOSH KAMBLE Date: 2026.03.30 10:22:35 +0530 NILAM SANTOSH KAMBLE Mr.Chinmay Godse, for the Applicant.

Mr.S.M. Mangaonkar, APP for Respondent-State. Mr.Swapnil A. Patil, API, Bharti Vidyapeeth Police Station, Pune City. _________________________________________________________________

CORAM

: SHIVKUMAR DIGE, J.

DATE : 18th MARCH 2026 P.C. :

.

By this Application, the Applicant is seeking regular bail in Crime No.499 of 2024 registered with Bharati Vidyapeeth Police Station, Pune, for the offences punishable under Sections 302 and 109 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860 ('IPC' for short). 2.

It is prosecution's case that on 15th June 2024, the Applicant murdered his wife by assaulting her with knife in room of one Ashwini Lodge. It is alleged that there were marital disputes between the Applicant and the deceased, and divorce proceedings were going on between them.

3.

It is contention of learned counsel for the Applicant that the Applicant is behind bars for more than one year and nine months. The prosecution case is based on circumstantial evidence. The incident happened in a spur of moment and in fit of anger. It is submitted that the Applicant had no intention to kill the deceased, as only a single stab injury was inflicted. It is also submitted that, in fact, the deceased had intention to kill the Applicant and in his defence, the Applicant assaulted her. Investigation is completed and charge-sheet has been filed. The Applicant has no antecedents and requested to allow the Application.

4.

It is contention of learned APP that the Applicant had taken his wife to one Ashwini Lodge. He booked the room by giving his Aadhar Card. The statement of the manager of the lodge shows that after murder, the Applicant locked the door of the room and fled away from the incident spot. The Applicant had disputes with the deceased and on that ground, he murdered his wife. The statement of the shop owner shows that the Applicant had purchased knife from him which was used in the commission of crime and the said knife has been recovered by the police. This witness has identified the Applicant. If the Applicant released on bail, he may

abscond or threaten prosecution witnesses. The charge is framed against the Applicant. The trial is in progress, and requested to reject the Application.

5.

I have heard both learned counsel. Perused charge-sheet and documents produced on record.

6.

The statement of witness-Mr.Tanaji Tungikar, Manager of Ashwini Lodge, shows that on the day of the incident, the Applicant had booked room in the said lodge and Applicant came there with the deceased. They stayed in said room, thereafter, the Applicant locked room and told to this witness that he will come back within five minutes, and did not return till 9.45 p.m. The room was locked from outside, when police broke open the lock, this witness and police found dead body of the deceased. It shows that at the time of the incident, the Applicant was with the deceased, he murdered the deceased and ran away from incident spot. The post-mortem report reveals death due to stab injury over neck. The statement of witness Sonaram Chaudhary, shop owner, shows that the knife used in commission of crime, was purchased from him by the Applicant. This indicates the existence of motive and preparation on the part of Applicant. The said knife has been recovered by the police. There is

disclose of killing his wife by Applicant to his friend. The circumstances show that the Applicant had taken the deceased to lodge, and murdered her. There is direct and strong evidence against the Applicant. If the Applicant released on bail, he may abscond or threaten prosecution witnesses. Considering nature and gravity of offence, and evidence produced on record, I pass following order.

ORDER

(i) The Application is rejected.

(ii) All pending Applications are disposed of.

(SHIVKUMAR DIGE, J.)