Pradeep Gajanan Kolambekar v. The State Of Maharashtra
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY CRIMINAL APPELLATE JURISDICTION CRIMINAL BAIL APPLICATION NO. 559 OF 2026 Pradeep Gajanan Kolambekar ...Applicant
VERSUS
The State Of Maharashtra
...Respondent
____________________________________________________________ Mr.Kuldeep S. Patil a/w Mr.Digvijay S. Kachare, Mr.Siddhrth Gharat, for the Applicant.
Ms.Gauri Rao, APP for Respondent-State.
Mr.Nagdevi, PSI, Nagothane, District-Raigad.
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.97 of 2025 registered with Nagothane Police Station, DistrictRaigad, for the offences punishable under Sections 406, 409, 420, 468, 471, 477(A) read with Section 34 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860 ('IPC' for short) and Sections 3 and 4 of the Maharashtra Protection of Interest of Depositors (in Financial Establishments) Act ('MPID' for short). 2.
It is prosecution's case that Applicant was Manager in Shree Swaraj Gramin Bigarsheti Sahakari Pathsanstha Maryadit, Shetjui, TalukaRoha. He along with co-accused, Chairman and Secretary of the said
Pathsanstha misappropriated money of the Pathsanstha and caused loss of around Rs.3 crores to the Pathsanstha.
3.
It is contention of learned counsel for the Applicant that the Applicant has been falsely implicated in this case. The main allegations are against the co-accused who are Chairman and Secretary of the Pathsanstha. On their say, the Applicant has signed the documents. There is no recovery at the instance of the Applicant. The Applicant is behind bars for more than six months. The Applicant has no antecedents. There is no progress in trial, and requested to allow the Application.
4.
It is contention of learned APP that the Applicant was instrumental in the said fraud and he used to sign on the proceedings and cash vouchers. 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 from the statement of the witnesses that the Applicant was taking signatures of the Chairman and Secretary, who are co-accused in the present crime, on the documents. It appears that the Applicant was acting on the say of the co-accused. To show involvement of the Applicant in the crime evidence is required. The Applicant is behind bars for more
than six months. The main allegations are against the Chairman and Secretary of the Pathsanstha.
7.
In view of above, I pass following order.
ORDER
(i) The Applicant be released on bail in Crime No.97 of 2025 registered with Nagothane Police Station, DistrictRaigad, 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.)