Ganesh Bajirao Dhamale v. State Of Maharashtra
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY
CRIMINAL APPELLATE JURISDICTION CRIMINAL BAIL APPLICATION NO. 517 OF 2026 Ganesh Bajirao Dhamale ....Applicant
Versus
The State of Maharashtra ....Respondent _________________________________________________________________ Ms. Shubhangi Parulekar, Advocate for Applicant. Mr. Prashant P. Jadhav, APP for Respondent-State. _________________________________________________________________
CORAM
: SHIVKUMAR DIGE, J.
DATE : 5th MAY, 2026.
P.C. :
1.
By this application, the applicant is seeking regular bail in Crime No. 554 of 2024 registered with Wakad Police Station, District Pune, for the offences punishable under Sections 302, 120-B, 341, 143, 145, 147, 148 and 149 of the Indian Penal Code 1860, Section 4(25)(27) of the Arms Act, Sections 3(1)(i)(ii), 3(2), 3(3) and 3(4) of the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act, 1999, Section 3 and 7 of Criminal Law Amendment Act and Section 37(1)(3) read with 135 of the Maharashtra Police Act.
SHUBHADA SHANKAR KADAM 2.
It is prosecution's case that on 1st May 2024 around 6.30 p.m., SHUBHADA SHANKAR KADAM Date: 2026.05.06 10:33:39 +0530 the co-accused murdered the friend of the first informant on the ground of old dispute. The allegation against the applicant is that the knife used in
the crime was provided by the applicant and he was one of the conspirator of the said murder.
3.
It is contention of learned counsel for the applicant that applicant is behind bars for more than 1 year 9 months. The co-accused, against whom similar and serious allegations are made, have been released on bail by this Court, hence, the applicant is entitled for bail on the principle of parity. Hence, requested to allow the application. 4.
It is contention of learned APP that the knife used by the coaccused in the crime was provided by the applicant. The applicant has six antecedents. If the applicant is released on bail, he may abscond or threaten the prosecution witnesses. Hence, requested to reject the application.
5.
I have heard both learned counsel, perused charge-sheet and documents produced on record. The applicant is behind bars for more than for more than 1 year 9 months. To prove the case against the applicant, trial is required. The co-accused - Kamlesh Pathare, Mr. Anil Chorghe, Nilesh Mudliyar and Roshan Solanke, against whom allegations are made on higher footing than the applicant, have been released on bail by this Court. Considering these facts, the applicant is entitled to bail on the principle of parity. Hence, I pass following order :
ORDER
(i) The applicant be enlarged on bail in Crime No. 554 of 2024 registered with Wakad Police Station, 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.)