Shantaram Pandurang Jadhav v. State Of Maharashtra

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY

CRIMINAL APPELLATE JURISDICTION CRIMINAL BAIL APPLICATION NO. 1086 OF 2026 Shantaram Pandurang Jadhav ...Applicant

VERSUS

State Of Maharashtra ....Respondent _________________________________________________________________ Digitally signed by VAISHALI ANIL TIKAM Date:

2026.04.30 15:55:40 +0530 Mr. Shailesh Kharat (VC) a/w. Mr. Onkar Chaudhari, Advocate for Applicant.

Smt. Kranti Hiwrale, APP for Respondent-State. API Rupali Patil, Roha Police Station, Dist. Raigad present. _________________________________________________________________ VAISHALI ANIL TIKAM

CORAM

: SHIVKUMAR DIGE, J.

DATE : 27th APRIL, 2026.

P.C. :

1.

Heard learned counsel for the Applicant and learned APP for the State.

2.

By this application, the applicant is seeking regular bail in Crime No. 154 of 2023 registered with Roha Police Station for the offence punishable under Sections 302, 376(A) of the Indian Penal Code, 1860 (for short 'IPC'), 3.

It is prosecution's case that on 04/10/2023, Applicant murdered the deceased by hitting with stone on her head as she refused to pay amount to the deceased for drinking liquor.

4.

It is contention of learned counsel for the Applicant that

prosecution case is based on circumstantial evidence. Applicant is behind bars for more than 2 years and 6 months. There is no progress in the trial. Applicant has no antecedents. It may take time to conclude the trial and requested to allow the application.

5.

It is contention of learned APP that applicant was last seen going towards the house of the deceased. There are witnesses who last seen the Applicant and deceased together. If applicant is released on bail, he may abscond or threaten prosecution witnesses and requested to reject the application.

6.

I have heard both learned counsel. Perused charge-sheet and documents produced on record.

7.

The prosecution case is based on circumstantial evidence. Applicant is behind bars for more than 2 years and 6 months. There is no progress in the trial. It may take time to conclude the trial. Applicant has no antecedents.

8.

Considering these facts, I pass following order:

ORDER

(i) The Applicant- Shantaram Pandurang Jadhav be released on bail in Crime No. 154 of 2023 registered with Roha Police Station, 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.)