Aniket Ramdas Wakhare v. The State Of Maharashtra

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY

CRIMINAL APPELLATE JURISDICTION CRIMINAL BAIL APPLICATION NO. 788 OF 2026 Aniket Ramdas Wakhare ....Applicant versus The State of Maharashtra ....Respondent _________________________________________________________________ Mr. Piyush Toshnival i/b. Mr. Ashish Pawar, Advocate for Applicant. Mr. S. R. Agarkar, APP for Respondent-State.

PSI- Narendra Shinde, Koregaon Park Police Station, Pune City, _________________________________________________________________

CORAM

: SHIVKUMAR DIGE, J.

DATE : 23rd APRIL, 2026.

P.C. :

1.

By this application, the applicant is seeking regular bail in Crime No. 8 of 2020 registered with Koregaon Police Station, District Pune, for the offences punishable under Sections 302, 323, 143, 147, 148, 149 and 504 of the Indian Penal Code 1860 (for short "IPC") and Section 135 of the Maharashtra Police Act.

2.

It is prosecution's case that on 9th January 2020, the applicant and co-accused murdered the deceased on the ground of an old dispute. 3.

It is contention of learned counsel for the applicant that the co-accused, against whom similar allegations are made, has been released on bail. The applicant is behind bars for more than six years, yet the trial is Digitally signed by SHUBHADA SHANKAR KADAM Date:

2026.04.24 17:54:03 +0530 SHUBHADA SHANKAR KADAM

not concluded. The applicant is a student and is pursuing education from jail. This Court had earlier released the applicant on temporary bail for attending examinations. The applicant has no antecedents. Hence, requested to allow the application.

4.

It is contention of learned APP that the applicant and coaccused brutally assaulted the deceased and murdered him. The incident occurred in a public place. The applicant is the main culprit. The earlier bail application filed by the applicant was withdrawn before this Court. The trial has commenced, and one witness has been examined. If the applicant is released on bail, he may 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 six years, yet the trial is not concluded. Only one prosecution witness has been examined. The applicant is pursuing education from jail and has no antecedents. Some of the co-accused, who were present at the time of the incident, have been released on bail. Considering these facts, I pass the following order:

ORDER

(i) The applicant be enlarged on bail in Crime No. 8 of 2020 registered with Koregaon 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, prosecution 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.)