Kabir Vijay Sonawane v. The State Of Maharashtra

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY CRIMINAL APPELLATE JURISDICTION CRIMINAL BAIL APPLICATION NO. 1278 OF 2026 Kabir Vijay Sonawane ....Applicant

VERSUS

The State Of Maharashtra ....Respondent ____________________________________________________________ by NILAM SANTOSH KAMBLE Date:

2026.04.24 10:07:12 +0530 Mr.S.R. Pathak a/w Ms.Jyoti R. Barai, for the Applicant. Mr.S.M. Mangonkar, APP for Respondent-State.

NILAM SANTOSH KAMBLE ____________________________________________________________

CORAM

: SHIVKUMAR DIGE, J.

DATE : 22nd APRIL 2026 P.C. :

.

By this Application, the Applicant is seeking regular bail in Crime No.266 of 2023 registered with Malegaon Camp Police Station, Nashik, for the offences punishable under Sections 393, 394 and 397 read with section 34 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860 ('IPC' for short) and Section 3(25) of the Indian Arms Act.

2.

It is prosecution's case that on 29th December 2023, the Applicant and co-accused tried to snatch the bag from the hands of the nephew of the First Informant and they assaulted his nephew with knife. 3.

It is contention of learned counsel for the Applicant that the coaccused having similar allegations have been released on bail. The Applicant is

behind bars for more than two years and three months. There is no progress in trial, and requested to allow the Application. 4.

It is contention of learned APP that the Applicant was caught redhanded by the public and was handed-over to the police. The Applicant assaulted the nephew of the First Informant with knife and tried to snatch the bag from his hand. 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 co-accused, having similar allegations, have been released on bail. Hence, the Applicant is entitled for bail on principle of parity and I pass following order.

ORDER

(i) The Applicant be released on bail in Crime No.266 of 2023 registered with Malegaon Camp Police Station, Nashik, 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.)