Sunil Anandrao Patil v. The State Of Maharashtra And ANR.
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY CIRCUIT BENCH AT KOLHAPUR CRIMINAL APPELLATE JURISDICTION CRIMINAL BAIL APPLN. NO. 215 OF 2026 Sunil Anandrao Patil
VERSUS
The State Of Maharashtra And Anr.
Mr. Anand S Patil a/w Mr. Soham V. Powar, Mr. Pratik B. Bhakare, Advocate for Applicant Mr. P. P. Deokar, APP for the Respondent-State CORAM : SACHIN S. DESHMUKH, J.
DATE : 24th APRIL, 2026.
P. C. :
1.
By this application, applicant is seeking regular bail in C.R. No. 119/2022 registered with Laxmipuri Police Station, Kolhapur District Kolhapur for offences punishable under Sections 406, 408, 409, 420, 465, 468, 471, 477-A read with 34 of the Indian Penal Code and under Sections 3 and 4 of The Maharashtra Protection of IRESH MASHAL Interest of Depositors Act, 1999.
Digitally signed by IRESH MASHAL Date:
2026.04.24 19:20:32 +0530 2.
Learned counsel for the applicant submits that applicant is behind bar for last more than four years. There is no progress in trial. Considering the number of witnesses which the prosecution proposes to examine, the trial will take its own time. As such, requested that the applicant to be admitted to the bail. 1 of
3.
Per contra, learned APP opposed the application submitting that the Applicant is the chairman of the establishment and is responsible for every defalcation of the amount and in the process has deceived number of investors which dis-entitles the Applicant to be admitted to the bail.
4.
Upon considering the submissions of learned counsel for the applicant, learned APP and perusal of material on record, indicates that case is premised on documentary evidence and relevant documents are already recovered.
Moreover, the co-accused/manager is enlarged on bail by this Court is enlarged on bail by this Court vide order dated 27/02/2025 in Criminal Bail Application No. 1445/2024 primarily on the ground of prolonged incarceration. The present Applicant is in custody for more than four years and the trial does not indicate substantial progress. 5.
Nevertheless, the investigation is complete for all intent and purpose and the charge-sheet is filed to that effect. Having regard to the number of witnesses which the prosecution proposes to examine, the trial is unlikely to conclude within a reasonable period. In that view of the matter, I am persuaded to exercise discretion in favour of the Applicant.
2 of
6.
Hence, following order.
O R D E R
I.
The bail application is allowed.
II.
Applicant, Sunil Anandrao Patil 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. 119/2022 registered with Laxmipuri Police Station, Kolhapur District Kolhapur for offences punishable under Sections 406, 408, 409, 420, 465, 468, 471, 477-A read with 34 of the Indian Penal Code and under Sections 3 and 4 of The Maharashtra Protection of Interest of Depositors Act, 1999, 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 move the concerned Court seeking cancellation of bail, 3 of
notwithstanding the fact that this Court has granted bail to the Applicant.
7.
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