Shri Pratik @ Babu Shrikant More v. The State Of Maharashtra And ANR.
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY CIRCUIT BENCH AT KOLHAPUR CRIMINAL APPELLATE JURISDICTION CRIMINAL BAIL APPLICATION NO. 210 OF 2026 Pratik @ Babu Shrikant More
VERSUS
The State of Maharashtra And Anr.
...
Mr. Shrikant Tatyasaheb Jadhav a/w Mr. Murlidhar Kharat and Mr. Maheshwar Desai, Advocate for Applicant.
Mr. P. P. Deokar, APP for the Respondents-State. ...
CORAM : SACHIN S. DESHMUKH, J.
DATE : 27th MARCH, 2026.
P. C. :
1.
The applicant seeks regular bail in connection with C.R. No. 32 of 2025 dated 16.01.2025 registered with Vita Police Station, District Sangli, for the offences punishable under Sections 103(1), 118(1), 189(2), 189(4), 190, 191(2), 191(3), 324(4), 61(2), 249, 111(1), 111(2)(C)(K), 113(3) of the Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 and Sections 4 and 25 of the Arms Act.
2.
Heard.
3.
Learned Counsel for the applicant submits that it is a case of over-implication. There are material inconsistencies with regard to Digitally signed by SAJAKALI LIYAKAT JAMADAR Date:
2026.04.01 17:54:21 +0530 SAJAKALI LIYAKAT JAMADAR 1 of
the presence of the applicant, which entitles the applicant to be admitted to bail. The investigation is complete and the charge-sheet has been filed. Considering the nature of prosecution witnesses, the trial is unlikely to commence and conclude within a reasonable period. As such, further incarceration of the applicant is not required. Hence, it is prayed that the application be allowed. 4.
Per contra, learned APP opposes the application, submitting that the offence is serious in nature. The complicity of the applicant is evident from the prosecution witnesses, and the involvement of the applicant is of a serious nature, which disentitles the applicant from being admitted to bail.
5.
Having heard the submissions from both sides and upon perusal of the record, including the charge-sheet, it prima facie indicates that, initially, the applicant was not named in the FIR. The applicant is primarily arraigned as accused on the basis of the statement given by Nilesh and Dhanaji at belated stage. The perusal of the same, prima facie indicate that there are material inconsistencies regarding the presence of the applicant at the time of alleged incident, as such, it appears to be a case of false implication of applicant.
2 of
6.
Nevertheless, the investigation is complete for all intents and purposes, and resultantly, the charge-sheet has been filed. As such, further incarceration of the applicant would be unjustified. 7.
Apart from the aforesaid aspects, having regard to the number of witnesses which the prosecution proposes to examine, it is very unlikely that the trial can be commenced and concluded within a reasonable period. In that view of the matter, pre-trial incarceration would be unjustified. I am, therefore, persuaded to exercise discretion in favour of the applicant.
8.
Hence, the order :-
O R D E R
I.
The bail application is allowed.
II.
Applicant - Pratik @ Babu Shrikant More be released on bail, on furnishing P.R. bond in the sum of Rs.50,000/- (Rs.Fifty Thousand) with one or two local solvent sureties, in the like amount, in connection with C.R. No. 32 of 2025 dated 16.01.2025 registered with Vita Police Station, District Sangli, for the offences punishable under Sections 103(1), 118(1), 189(2), 189(4), 190, 191(2), 191(3), 324(4), 61(2), 249, 111(1), 111(2)(C)(K), 113(3) of the Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 and Sections 4 and 25 of the 3 of
Arms Act, on the following conditions :- (a) The applicant shall not pressurize the prosecution witnesses and tamper with the prosecution evidence, in any manner.
(b) The applicant shall attend the trial on each and every date unless exempted by the trial Court. (c) The applicant shall submit Aadhar and Pan Cards to the Investigating Officer and detailed address and phone numbers and two of the near relatives.
(d) In case of breach of any of the conditions by the applicant, it is open for the Prosecution to approach the concerned Court seeking cancellation of bail, notwithstanding the fact that this Court has granted bail. III.
Needless to state that the observations rendered herein are to the extent of this application and the trial Court shall not be influenced by the same.
[SACHIN S. DESHMUKH, J.] 4 of