Vitthal Navnath Pikle v. The State Of Maharashtra

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY CRIMINAL APPELLATE JURISDICTION CRIMINAL BAIL APPLICATION NO. 1233 OF 2026 Vitthal Navnath Pikle ...Applicant

VERSUS

The State Of Maharashtra

...Respondent

____________________________________________________________ by NILAM SANTOSH KAMBLE Date: 2026.04.30 15:06:56 +0530 NILAM SANTOSH KAMBLE Mr.Shailesh Kharat, for the Applicant.

Mr.S.R. Agarkar, APP for Respondent-State.

Mr.Mulla, PSI, Mahalunge, MIDC Police Station, Pimpri Chinchwad, Pune. ____________________________________________________________

CORAM

: SHIVKUMAR DIGE, J.

DATE : 28th APRIL 2026 P.C. :

.

By this Application, the Applicant is seeking regular bail in Crime No.691 of 2024 registered with Mahalunge MIDC Police Station, PimpriChinchwad, Pune, for the offences punishable under Sections 109, 118(1) and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 ('BNS' for short), Sections 3 and 25 of the Arms Act, Section 37(1)(3) read with Section 135 of the Maharashtra Police Act and Sections 3(1)(ii) and 3(4) of the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act, 1999 ('MCOCA Act' for short).

2.

It is prosecution's case that on 12th October 2024, the Applicant and co-accused fired at friend of First Informant and other persons with an intention to kill them.

3.

It is contention of learned counsel for the Applicant that allegations of firing by pistol are against the co-accused. The allegations against the Applicant are that he was part of the group. The Applicant is behind bars for more than one year and six months. There is no progress in trial, and requested to allow the Application.

4.

It is contention of learned APP that the Applicant and co-accused were trying to assault the friend of the First Informant on account of an old dispute, and co-accused fired at people gathered there as well as First Informant's friend with an intention to kill them. The bullet stuck the injured. The Applicant has six antecedents. If the Applicant released on bail, he may abscond or threaten First Informant and prosecution witnesses, and requested to reject the Application. 5.

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

6.

The Applicant is behind bars for more than one year and six months. There are no allegations against the Applicant that he has fired from the pistol at the injured and other persons gathered at the spot of the incident. To prove the role of the Applicant, trial is required.

7.

Considering these facts, I pass following order.

ORDER

(i) The Applicant be released on bail in Crime No.691 of 2024 registered with Mahalunge MIDC Police Station, Pimpri-

Chinchwad, Pune, on furnishing PR bond of Rs.25,000/- with one or two solvent sureties in the like amount.

(ii) The Applicant shall not enter in the jurisdiction of Mahalunge MIDC Police Station, till recording of evidence of First Informant, except attending Court dates.

(iii) The Applicant shall not tamper with the evidence and/or influence the prosecution witnesses.

(iv) The Trial Court shall decide the case on its own merits and in accordance with law, uninfluenced by the observations made in this order.

(v) The Applicant shall attend the concerned Police Station as and when required.

(vi) Application is allowed in the aforesaid terms. (SHIVKUMAR DIGE, J.)