Supreet Kadappa Desai 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. 301 OF 2026 Supreet Kadappa Desai
VERSUS
The State Of Maharashtra And Anr.
Mr. Pratik G. Tare i/b Mr. Mane S. Y. Advocate for Petitioner Mr. Anand S. Shalgaonkar APP for the State CORAM : SACHIN S. DESHMUKH, J.
DATE : 4th MAY 2026.
P. C. :
1.
The applicant seeks regular bail in connection with C.R. No. 256/2025 dated 08/10/2025 registered with Gandhi Chowk Police Station, District Sangli for offences punishable under Sections 178, IRESH MASHAL 179, 180, 181 3(5) of the Indian Penal Code.
Digitally signed by IRESH MASHAL Date:
2026.05.06 11:25:39 +0530 2.
Prosecution case is, on 08.10.2025, the complainant, acting upon credible secret information regarding circulation of counterfeit currency notes near Nilaji Bamani Road, Kolhapur Bridge, conducted a raid. During the operation, in the presence of panch witnesses, applicant was apprehended. Upon search, 84 counterfeit currency notes of 500 denomination, amounting to 42,000/-, ₹ ₹ 1 of
were recovered from his possession. The notes appeared similar to genuine currency but, upon preliminary examination, were found to be fake, with discrepancies in paper quality, printing, and security features. Hence, the present complaint has been lodged. 3.
Learned counsel for the Applicant submits that the Applicant is falsely implicated in the crime. The Applicant is in custody since his arrest on 19/12/2025. Investigation is complete and chargesheet has been filed. The Applicant is arraigned as an accused merely on suspicion. Hence, prayed to allow the Application. 4.
Learned APP has opposed the Application submitting that the offence is serious in nature. Further expressed the apprehension that if the Applicant is released on bail, there is a possibility that the Applicant may flee away and evade the trial.
5.
Apart from above, having heard the submissions from both the sides and perusal of the record indicates that the necessary recovery of the alleged counterfeit currency is carried out by the investigating agency. The Applicant is apprehended on the basis of secret information, however, the material on record prima facie is insufficient to conclude whether the Applicant had knowledge about 2 of
the counterfeit currency.
6.
Having regard to the number of witnesses which the prosecution proposes to examine, the trial is unlikely to conclude within a reasonable period.
7.
Hence, following order:
O R D E R
I.
The bail application is allowed.
II.
Applicant, Supreet Kadappa Desai 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. 256/2025 dated 08/10/2025 registered with Gandhi Chowk Police Station, District Sangli for offences punishable under Sections 178, 179, 180, 181 3(5) of the Indian Penal Code, 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 not in any manner directly or indirectly engage into the offence of similar nature. (c) The applicant shall attend the trial on each and every date unless exempted by the trial Court. (d) The applicant shall submit Aadhar and Pan Cards 3 of
to the Investigating Officer and detailed address and phone numbers and two of the near relatives.
(e) 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, notwithstanding the fact that this Court has granted bail to the Applicant.
8.
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