Kiran Chagan Sonawane v. State Of Maharashtra

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY CRIMINAL APPELLATE JURISDICTION CRIMINAL BAIL APPLICATION NO. 1296 OF 2026 Kiran Chagan Sonawane ....Applicant

VERSUS

State Of Maharashtra ....Respondent ____________________________________________________________ by NILAM SANTOSH KAMBLE Date: 2026.04.23 16:23:31 +0530 NILAM SANTOSH KAMBLE Ms.Sana Raees Khan i/b SRK Legal, for the Applicant. Mr.P.P. Jadhav, APP for Respondent-State.

____________________________________________________________

CORAM

: SHIVKUMAR DIGE, J.

DATE : 22nd APRIL 2026 P.C. :

.

By this application, the applicant is seeking regular bail in Crime No. 393 of 2024 registered with Bhadrakali Police Station, District Nashik, for the offences punishable under Sections 309(4), 317(2)(4) and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 and under Section 3(1)(ii), 3(2) and 3(4) of the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act, 1999 . 2.

It is prosecution's case that on 7th November 2024, at around 10:15 a.m., when the first informant was going on a motorcycle, three unknown persons came there, snatched the gold chain from her neck, and ran away.

3.

It is contention of learned counsel for the applicant that the applicant was not present at the time of the incident. The allegations against

him are that he facilitated the main accused to sale the snatched gold chain to a goldsmith. The applicant is behind bars for more than seven months, there is no progress in the trial and requested to allow the application. 4.

It is contention of learned APP that the applicant has antecedents and helped the main accused to sell the snatched gold chain, to the jeweller. It shows his involvement in the crime and requested to reject the application.

5.

I have heard both learned counsel and perused the charge-sheet and documents produced on record. The applicant was not present at the incident spot. The allegations against him are that he helped the main accused to sell the snatched gold chain to the jeweller. The applicant is behind bars for more than seven months. There is no progress in the trial. Considering these facts, I pass following order:

ORDER

(i) The applicant be enlarged on bail in Crime No. 393 of 2024 registered with Bhadrakali Police Station, District Nashik, 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.

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.)