Rajendra Chintaman Sonawane v. The State Of Maharashtra

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY

CRIMINAL APPELLATE JURISDICTION CRIMINAL BAIL APPLICATION NO. 1852 OF 2026 Rajendra Chintaman Sonawane ...APPLICANT

VERSUS

The State Of Maharashtra and anr.

...RESPONDENT _________________________________________________________________ Mr. Akshay Bankapur, Advocate for Applicant.

Smt. K. T. Hiwrale, APP for Respondent No.1-State. Mr. Vivekanand Vinod Krishnan a/w Mr. Abhijeet Ashok Dixit, Advocate for Respondent No.2.

Mr. Kolhe, API, EOW/Nashik City.

Mr. Kulkarni, HC.

_________________________________________________________________

CORAM

: SHIVKUMAR DIGE, J.

DATE : 8th MAY, 2026.

P.C. :

1.

By this application, the applicant is seeking regular bail in Crime No. 72 of 2025 registered with Gangapur Police Station, Nashik for the offences punishable under Sections 318(4), 316(5) and 316(2),336(3), 340(2) r/w Section 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023. 2.

It is prosecution's case that the applicant had obtained the loan from Bank of Maharashtra in the name of his wife and two sisters under the scheme of Chief Minister Employment Generation Programme (for short 'CMEGP'). Though, they were not entitled for the said loan. 3.

It is contention of learned counsel for the applicant that applicant has deposited entire loan amount along with subsidy. Applicant

is behind bars for more than six months. The co-accused, having similar allegations, has been released on bail and requested to allow the application.

4.

It is contention of learned APP and learned counsel for Respondent No. 2 that applicant has deposited the entire loan amount. If applicant is released on bail, he may abscond or threaten prosecution witnesses and requested to reject the application. 5.

I have heard both learned counsel. Perused charge-sheet and documents produced on record. The applicant has deposited the entire loan amount. The applicant has no antecedents. The applicant is behind bars for more than six months. The co-accused, having serious allegations, has been released on bail.

6.

Considering these facts, I pass following order.

ORDER

(i) The applicant be enlarged on bail in in Crime No. 72 of 2025 registered with Gangapur Police Station, 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 victim, witnesses or any person

concerned with the case.

The application is allowed in the aforesaid terms and is accordingly disposed of.

7.

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.

8.

All concerned to act on the authenticated copy of this order. (SHIVKUMAR DIGE, J.)