Darshan Ashok Shah v. State Of Maharashtra

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY CRIMINAL APPELLATE JURISDICTION CRIMINAL BAIL APPLICATION NO. 287 OF 2026 Darshan Ashok Shah ...Applicant

VERSUS

State Of Maharashtra

...Respondent

____________________________________________________________ Mr.Shekhar Ingawale, for the Applicant.

Mr.M.G. Patil, APP for Respondent-State.

____________________________________________________________ by NILAM SANTOSH KAMBLE Date: 2026.05.05 11:39:22 +0530 NILAM SANTOSH KAMBLE

CORAM

: SHIVKUMAR DIGE, J.

DATE : 28th APRIL 2026 P.C. :

.

By this Application, the Applicant is seeking regular bail in Crime No.11 of 2025 registered with Wanawadi Police Station, Pune, for the offences punishable under Sections 319(2), 318(4), 338, 336(3), 340(2) and 3(5) and S59(A) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 ('BNS' for short).

2.

It is prosecution's case that the co-accused used fake stamps for preparing fake ration cards which were used for giving surety in the Court. It is alleged that the said fake stamps were given by the Applicant. 3.

It is contention of learned counsel for the Applicant that the Applicant has not received a single rupee from the co-accused. He run stationary shop, no fake stamps are recovered from the shop of the

Applicant. The Applicant is behind bars for more than fifteen months. The Applicant has no antecedents, and requested to allow the Application. 4.

It is contention of learned APP that the Applicant provided fake stamps to the co-accused, which were used for preparing fake ration card. If the Applicant released on bail, he may abscond or threaten prosecution witnesses, and requested to reject the Application. 5.

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

6.

It appears that from the statement of the witnesses that the Applicant gave the fake stamps to the co-accused by taking Rs.180/-. Except this, there are no allegations against the Applicant. To prove involvement of the Applicant in the crime, evidence is required. The Applicant is behind bars for more than fifteen months. The co-accused advocate's are released on bail. The Applicant has no antecedents. It may take time to conclude the trial.

7.

Considering these facts, I pass following order.

ORDER

(i) The Applicant be released on bail in Crime No.11 of 2025 registered with Wanawadi Police Station, Pune, on

furnishing PR bond of Rs.25,000/- with one or two solvent sureties in the like amount.

(ii) The Applicant shall not tamper with the evidence and/or influence the prosecution witnesses.

(iii) The Trial Court shall decide the case on its own merits and in accordance with law, uninfluenced by the observations made in this order.

(iv) The Applicant shall attend the concerned Police Station as and when required.

(v) Application is allowed in the aforesaid terms. (SHIVKUMAR DIGE, J.)