Yuvraj Bajrang Kamate v. The State Of Maharashtra And ANR.
-1IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY CIRCUIT BENCH AT KOLHAPUR CRIMINAL APPELLATE JURISDICTION CRIMINAL BAIL APPLICATION NO. 227 OF 2026 Yuvraj Bajrang Kamate
VERSUS
The State Of Maharashtra And Anr.
...
Advocate for Applicant : Mr. Ramanik Pawar APP for Respondent-State : N. B. Patil ...
CORAM : SACHIN S. DESHMUKH, J.
Date : 24th March, 2026 ORDER :- 1.
The applicant has approached this Court seeking regular bail in connection with FIR dated 08.11.2017 bearing Crime No. 243 of 2017 registered with Sangli City Police Station, Dist. Sangli for the offences punishable under Sections 302, 120(b),, 330, 331, 201, 202, 203, 323, 504, 506(b) read with 34 of the Indian Penal Code.
2.
The learned APP for the State submitted that the trial has reached an advanced stage. It is pointed out that the prosecution has already concluded its arguments in the matter, and the proceedings are now at the stage of defense arguments. The case is listed for the next hearing on 01.04.2026.
-23.
When confronted with the aforementioned factual position, the learned counsel for applicant did not dispute the status of the trial and accepted the stage of the proceedings as stated by the prosecution.
4.
Having regard to the legal position settled by the Hon'ble Apex Court in the case of X vs. State of Rajasthan (2024 INSC 909), it is observed that the discretion to grant bail must be exercised with extreme caution once the trial has progressed significantly. The Hon'ble Supreme Court has held as under :- "14. Ordinarily in serious offences like rape, murder, dacoity, etc., once the trial commences and the prosecution starts examining its witnesses, the Court be it the Trial Court or the High Court should be loath in entertaining the bail application of the accused." 5.
It is an admitted position that the trial has reached its finality. The prosecution has already concluded its arguments. The matter now rests at the stage of defence arguments. At this juncture, granting bail would be inherently disruptive to the conclusion of the judicial process.
-36.
Considering the verdict is imminent, the incentive for the accused to evade the administration of justice is significantly heightened. In view of the next scheduled date of 01.04.2026, the interests of justice are best served by the expeditious conclusion of the trial rather than the enlargement of the accused on bail. The sanctity of the final stage of the trial must be preserved to ensure a timely judgment.
7.
Applying the aforesaid ratio to the present case, it is evident that the trial has not only commenced but has reached to the stage of conclusion. At this stage, where the matter is specifically posted for defense arguments, the mandate of the law requires this Court to be loath in entertaining plea for bail. 8.
Accordingly, the bail application stands rejected. (SACHIN S. DESHMUKH, J.) Omkar Joshi