Ashok Ganpat Bansode v. The State Of Maharashtra
by LAXMIKANT GOPAL CHANDAN Date:
2026.06.16 20:42:48 +0530 LAXMIKANT GOPAL CHANDAN lgc
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY
CRIMINAL APPELLATE JURISDICTION CRIMINAL BAIL APPLICATION NO.2359 OF 2026 Ashok Ganpat Bansode : Applicant.
Versus
The State of Maharashtra : Respondent.
----- Ms. Savvy Kolhekar i/by Mr. Aniket Vagal for the Applicant. Mr. Amit Palkar, APP for the Respondent/State. ------- CORAM : ASHWIN D. BHOBE, J.
DATED : 16 JUNE 2026 PC:- 1.
Heard, Ms. Savvy Kolhekar, learned Advocate for the Applicant and Mr. Amit Palkar, learned APP for the Respondent/State.
2.
By this Application filed under Section 483 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, the Applicant seeks bail in C. R. No. 399 of 2024 registered with the Baramati Taluka Police Station for offences punishable under Sections 204, 307, and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita and Section 3(25) of the Arms Act.
3.
There are six accused in the present crime. Applicant is Accused No. 6.
4.
Said Crime No.399 of 2024 is registered as Sessions Case No. 25 of 2025 and pending on the file of the Additional Sessions Judge, Baramati ("Sessions Judge").
5.
The case of the prosecution is that on 24 September 2024, the Applicant and five other accused kidnapped the first Informant by falsely claiming to be police officers and brandishing a pistol at him. They demanded a ransom of Rs. 15,00,000/- and threatened that if the informant failed to pay, they would harm him.
6.
The Applicant was arrested on 28 February 2025 and has remained in jail since then. The Application (Exhibit 15) filed by the Applicant in Sessions Case No.25 of 2025 was rejected by the Sessions Court on 18 February 2026. 7.
Ms. Savvy Kolhekar, learned Advocate for the Applicant, submits that the allegations against the Applicant are similar to those made against Santosh Laxman Bhandalkar (Accused No.1) and Suraj Shankar Madane (Accused No.4), who have been released on bail by this Court vide orders dated 06 May 2026 and 25 February 2026, passed in Criminal Bail Application No.1281 of 2026 and Criminal Bail Application No.991 of 2025, respectively. She submits that the charge in Sessions Case No.25 of 2025 has not yet been framed. She therefore seeks bail for the Applicant on the ground of parity. 8.
Mr. Amit Palkar, learned APP for the Respondent/State, in all fairness, submits that the allegations against the
Applicant (Accused No.6) and the Accused Nos. 1 and 4 who have been released on bail are similar and as such the case of the Applicant can be considered on the ground of parity. 9.
Perused the record with the assistance of the learned Advocates for the parties.
10.
Perusal of the record indicates that the allegations made against the Applicant (Accused No.6) are like the allegations made against Accused Nos. 1 and 4. Accused Nos. 1 & 4 are released on bail. The Applicant would be entitled to bail on the ground of parity.
11.
In view of the above, this Bail Application is allowed on the following conditions :- (a) Applicant is directed to be released on bail in connection with C.R. No. 399 of 2024 registered with Baramati Taluka Police Station, upon furnishing a P.R. Bond in the sum of Rs. 25,000/- (Rupees Twenty Five Thousand only) with one or two sureties, each in the like amount, to the satisfaction of the Additional Sessions Judge, Baramati in Sessions Case No.25 of 2025. (b) Applicant shall not, directly or indirectly, make any inducement, threat or promise to any person acquainted with the facts of the case to dissuade that person from disclosing the facts to the Court or any police officer. Applicant shall not tamper with evidence.
(c) Applicant shall, within three (3) days of his release from jail, provide to the Investigating Officer, Baramati Taluka Police Station, his residential address with proof, the contact numbers and must inform the Investigating Officer about the change in the same from time to time.
(d) Applicant shall deposit his passport, if any, with the Court of the Additional Sessions Judge, Baramati, in Sessions Case No.25 of 2025, within three (3) days of his release from jail.
(e) Applicant shall report to the Investigating Officer, Baramati Taluka Police Station, on 2nd Saturday of each month from 11.00 am to 12.00 noon, till the framing of charge in Sessions Case No.25 of 2025. (f) Applicant shall regularly appear before the Additional Sessions Judge, Baramati in Sessions Case No.25 of 2025, as and when the matter is fixed, unless specifically exempted.
12.
Criminal Bail Application No.2359 of 2026 is disposed of.
(ASHWIN D. BHOBE, J.)