Santosh Laxman Bhandalkar v. State Of Maharashtra

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY

CRIMINAL APPELLATE JURISDICTION CRIMINAL BAIL APPLICATION NO. 1281 OF 2026 Santosh Laxman Bhandalkar ... Applicant

VERSUS

State Of Maharashtra ... Respondent _________________________________________________________________ Mr. Aniket Vagal a/w. Ms. Juhi Kadu and Ms. Savvy Kolhekar, Advocate for Applicant.

Ms. Gauri Rao, APP for the Respondent-State.

_________________________________________________________________ by SONALI SATISH KILAJE Date:

2026.05.11 14:59:11 +0700 SONALI SATISH KILAJE

CORAM

: SHIVKUMAR DIGE, J.

DATE : 6th MAY, 2026.

P.C. :

1.

By this application, the applicant is seeking regular bail in Crime No. 399 of 2024 registered with Baramati Taluka Police Station, District Pune, for the offences punishable under Sections 204, 307 and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 and 3(25) of the Arms Act. 2.

It is prosecution's case that on 24th September 2024, the applicant and the accused kidnapped the first informant by stating that they were police officers and by showing pistol to him, they demanded a ransom of 15 lakhs and threatened that if he failed to give the same, they ₹ would encounter him.

3.

It is contention of learned counsel for the applicant that the

applicant is behind bars for one year and four months. There is no material produced on record to show that the applicant was present in the car used in crime. The test identification parade of the applicant was taken, but it is not as per the procedure, and requested to allow the application. 4.

It is contention of learned APP that the applicant has antecedents. The first informant identified the applicant in test identification parade. Whether the test identification parade is proper or not, is a part of the trial. If the applicant is released on bail, he may abscond or threaten the prosecution witnesses, and requested to reject the application.

5.

I have heard both learned counsel, perused charge-sheet and the documents produced on record. The car used in the crime is seized at the instance of the co-accused. To show the involvement of the applicant in the crime, evidence is required. The applicant is behind bars for more than one year and fours months. Considering these facts, I pass following order :

ORDER

(i) The applicant be enlarged on bail in Crime No. 399 of 2024 registered with Baramati Taluka 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, witnesses or any person concerned with the case. The application is allowed in the aforesaid terms and is accordingly disposed of. All pending applications, if any also 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.)