Aniket Machindra Lawande v. The State Of Maharashtra

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY CRIMINAL APPELLATE JURISDICTION BAIL APPLICATION NO. 498 OF 2026 Aniket Machindra Lawande ... Applicant

Versus

The State of Maharashtra ... Respondent _________________________________________________________________ Mr. Aakash P. Kaware, Advocate for the Applicant. Mr. B.B.Kulkarni, APP for the Respondent-State. PSI- S.S.Khalate, Sangvi Police Station, Pune, present. _________________________________________________________________ by SONALI SATISH KILAJE Date:

2026.03.30 13:53:16 +0700 SONALI SATISH KILAJE

CORAM

: SHIVKUMAR DIGE, J.

DATE : 25th MARCH, 2026.

P.C. :

1.

By this application, the applicant is seeking regular bail in Crime No. 491 of 2024 registered with Sangvi Police Station, PimpriChinchwad District Pune, for the offences punishable under Section 140(2), 127(2), 3(5), 310(2) and 61(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 and Sections 3(1)(ii), 3(2), 3(4) of the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act, 1999.

2.

It is prosecution's case that on 30th November 2024, the younger brother of the first informant was kidnapped by unknown persons for ransom of Rs.5,00,000/-. In investigation, it is revealed that the applicant and co-accused kidnapped the brother of the first informant. 3.

It is contention of learned counsel for the applicant that the

accused No. 1, against whom similar allegations are made, is released on bail. The applicant is behind bars for more than one year. There is no progress in the trial and requested to allow the application. 4.

It is contention of learned APP that applicant along with coaccused kidnapped the brother of the first informant for ransom. There is evidence against the applicant. If the applicant is granted bail, he may threaten the prosecution witnesses and requested to reject the application. 5.

I have heard both learned counsel and perused the charge-sheet and documents produced on record. The applicant is behind bars for more than one year. There is no progress in the trial. The co-accused, against whom similar allegations are made, has been released on bail. Hence, the applicant is entitled to bail on the principle of parity. Considering these facts, I pass following order :

ORDER

(i) The applicant be enlarged on bail in Crime No. 491 of 2024 registered with Sangvi Police Station, PimpriChinchwad District Pune, on executing P.R.Bond in the sum of Rs.30,000/- with one or two sureties in the like amount.

(ii) The applicant shall attend the concerned police station as and when required.

(iii) The applicant shall not tamper with the evidence or attempt to influence or contact the complainant, witnesses or any person concerned with the case. The application is allowed in the aforesaid terms and is accordingly disposed of.

6.

It is made clear that the above observations are made only for the purpose of granting bail and the Trial Court shall decide the case on its own merits in accordance with law and uninfluenced by the observations made in this order.

7.

All concerned to act on the authenticated copy of this order. (SHIVKUMAR DIGE, J.)