Sanket Sunil Jadhav v. State Of Maharashtra And ANR.

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY CIRCUIT BENCH AT KOLHAPUR CRIMINAL APPELLATE JURISDICTION CRIMINAL BAIL APPLICATION NO. 343 OF 2026 Sanket Sunil Jadhav

VERSUS

The State of Maharashtra And Anr.

...

Mr. Pratik G. Tare i/by Mr. Sarathi Pansare, Advocate for Applicant. Mr. P. P. Deokar, APP for the Respondent-State. ...

CORAM : SACHIN S. DESHMUKH, J.

DATE : 6th MAY, 2026 P. C. :

1.

The applicant seeks regular bail in connection with C.R. No. 222 of 2021 dated 17.05.2021 registered with Phaltan City Police Station, District Satara, for the offences punishable under Sections 392, 394, 120(B) read with Section 34 of the Indian Penal Code, Section 3(25) of the Arms Act and Sections 3(1)(ii), 3(2), 3(4) of the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act, 1999. 2.

Learned Counsel for the applicant submits that the applicant has been falsely implicated in the case. The applicant is in custody since May, 2021 i.e. for almost Five years. Investigation is completed Digitally signed by SAJAKALI LIYAKAT JAMADAR Date:

2026.05.07 10:34:11 +0530 and the charge-sheet is filed. So far as the other offences are SAJAKALI LIYAKAT JAMADAR 1 of

concerned, the applicant has already been acquitted by the competent Court. There is no progress in trial. It is further submitted that the co-accused, namely, Raju @ Raj Boke has been admitted to bail by this Court in Criminal Bail Application No.2673 of 2024. In that view of the matter, the applicant deserves to be admitted to bail on the ground of parity.

3.

Per contra, learned APP opposed the application submitting that the offence is serious in nature. The provisions of MCOC are invoked against the present applicant. An apprehension is also expressed that if the applicant is enlarged on bail, there is every possibility of tampering prosecution witnesses. Hence, prayed to reject the application.

4.

Having heard the submissions from both the sides and upon perusal of the record including charge-sheet prima facie indicates that the applicant is in custody for more than five years. Similarly situated co-accused is enlarged on bail by this Court. As such, the applicant is entitled for parity.

5.

Having regard to the number witnesses which the prosecution proposes to examine, it is very unlikely that the trial can be commenced and concluded within a reasonable period. As far as the 2 of

apprehension expressed by the learned A.P.P. in relation to tampering prosecution witnesses is concerned, the same can be adequately taken care of by imposing stringent conditions. I am, therefore, persuaded to exercise the discretion in favour of the applicant.

6.

Hence, the order :-

O R D E R

I.

The bail application is allowed.

II.

Applicant - Sanket Sunil Jadhav 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. 222 of 2021 dated 17.05.2021 registered with Phaltan City Police Station, District Satara, for the offences punishable under Sections 392, 394, 120(B) read with Section 34 of the Indian Penal Code, Section 3(25) of the Arms Act and Sections 3(1)(ii), 3(2), 3(4) of the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act, 1999, on the following conditions :- (a) The applicant shall not pressurize the prosecution witnesses and tamper with the prosecution evidence, in any manner.

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(b) The applicant shall not enter the jurisdiction of revenue District of Satara till conclusion of trial except attending the dates before the concerned Court. (c) The applicant shall attend the trial on each and every date unless exempted by the trial Court. (d) The applicants shall submit Aadhar and Pan Cards to the Investigating Officer and detailed address, where they are likely to reside as well as their own phone numbers and that of their two near relatives. (e) 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