Harshal Prakash Dhodi v. The State Of Maharashtra

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY

CRIMINAL APPELLATE JURISDICTION CRIMINAL BAIL APPLICATION NO. 795 OF 2026 Harshal Prakash Dhodi ...Applicant

Versus

The State of Maharashtra

...Respondent

Mr. Mathews Nedumpara a/w Hemali Kurne a/w Dayanand Hebballi, for the Applicant .

Mrs. Veera Shinde, APP, for the Respondent - State. API - Ankur Shelar, Dahanu Police Station, Palghar, is present.

CORAM:

R. M. JOSHI, J.

DATED:

30th APRIL, 2026 PC:- 1.

Applicant seeks bail in connection with Crime No. 203 of 2025 registered with Dahanu Police Station, Palghar. for the offences punishable under Sections 420, 465, 467, 468, 471, 506, 34 of The Indian Penal Code, 1860 (for short, "IPC"). 2.

First Information Report indicates that there is some dispute with regard to the properties which ultimately were acquired and compensation was received against the same. It is alleged by the first informant that the amount of compensation received was credited into the account of the concerned. However with the help of the present Applicant, co-accused has withdrawn the said amount under the consent of the informant. On the basis of this allegation, offence came to be registered.

Now the investigation is complete with filing of the chargesheet.

3.

Learned Counsel for the Applicant submits that since the chargesheet has been filed, Applicant can not be kept in jail by way pre-trial sentence.

4.

Learned APP opposed the application by contending that the offence in the instant case also involves fabrication of the documents. It is her submission that apart from this an amount of Rs. Seven Lac has gone into the account of present Applicant and as such his involvement in the crime can be seen on the face of it.

5.

Prima facie perusal of the record does not indicate any allegation of fabrication of documents or forgery thereof against the present Applicant. The allegation is that the with the help of the present Applicant, co-accused has withdrawn the amount from the account of the informant. In absence of any allegation with regard to the creation of documents for forging signatures of any party, the Applicant can not be kept in jail by way of pretrial sentence. Having regard to the nature of the allegation against the Applicant and since the Applicant has no criminal history behind him, this Court therefore finds no reason to reject the application. Hence, following order :-

ORDER

i) Criminal Bail Application stands allowed in connection with Crime No. 203 of 2025 registered

with Dahanu Police Station, Palghar. for the offences punishable under Sections 420, 465, 467, 468, 471, 506, 34 of The Indian Penal Code, 1860.

ii) The Applicant be enlarged on bail, on furnishing P. R. Bond of Rs.15,000/- with one surety in the like amount, to the satisfaction of the Trial Court. iii) Applicant not to contact informant or any prosecution witnesses, directly or indirectly and cause interference in the evidence of the prosecution.

iv) The Applicant is directed to attend all dates of hearing before the Trial Court, unless exempted by specific order.

v) Any breach of the aforestated condition shall result forthwith into cancellation of bail.

6.

In view of the above, Application stands allowed and disposed of accordingly.

7.

It is clarified that the above observations are made on prima facie consideration of the material on record and the same shall not bind the parties during the final hearing of the Trial Case.

(R. M. JOSHI, J.) VDMokal/-