Punam W/O Shaileshkumar Pardhi Maiden Name Punam Arunkumar Bhagat v. The State Of Maharashtra Thr Pso., Ps Sadar, Nagpur

1 9aba16.2026.odt

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY

NAGPUR BENCH AT NAGPUR CRIMINAL APPLICATION (ABA) NO.

OF 202 Punam w/o Shaileshkumar Pardhi @ Punam Arunkumar Bhagat Vs State of Maharashtra Office Notes, Office Memoranda of Coram, Appearances, Court's orders or directions and Registrar's orders Court's or Judge's orders Mr. Abhilash O. Shriwas, counsel for applicant. Mr. N.R.Rode, APP for non-applicant/State.

CORAM: RAJNISH R. VYAS, J.

DATED : 20/04/2026.

1.

Apprehending arrest, the applicant, who was impleaded as the accused during course of investigation in the First Information Report No. 254/2025, dated 11/04/2025, registered with Police Station Sadar Dist. Nagpur for the offence punishable under Sections 420, 465, 468, 471, 472, 409, 120-B read with Section 34 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860, has approached this Court. 2.

In short, it is the contention of the learned counsel for the applicant that she was working as an Assistant Teacher at Siddhartha High School and Junior College (Art and Science College), Thanegaon, Tah. Tiroda, District Gondia. She was appointed on 18/01/2018, and a proposal for approval was forwarded by the Headmaster to the Education Officer. The Education Officer, after verification of documents, forwarded the proposal to the Deputy Director of Education, who thereafter created a Shalarth ID. The same was then

2 9aba16.2026.odt forwarded to the Principal of the College. It is the case of the applicant that, although she has been working since the year 2018 and the FIR has been filed, her services have neither been terminated nor she has been paid a single pie towards her salary.

3.

The learned counsel for the applicant has contended that she was not at all involved in creation of Shalarth ID. He has further relied upon the order passed by this Court in Criminal Application (ABA) No. 555 of 2025 dated 13/08/2025 (Swati d/o Shankarrao Barsagade Vs State of Maharashtra), granting anticipatory bail to a similarly circumstanced accused in the same FIR. 4.

Per contra, the learned APP has contended that conspiracy is deep rooted and several accused persons are involved. He submitted that false Shalarth ID was created and neither the necessary documents were forwarded by the Headmaster/Principal nor were they verified by the officers of Education Department i.e. Education Officer or the Deputy Director. He thus prayed for rejection of the application.

5.

With the assistance of respective counsels, I have gone through the record of the case and have given thoughtful consideration to the arguments advanced. 6.

On 12/01/2026, this Court has granted adinterim anticipatory bail to the applicant with a direction to attend the concerned police station. It is not disputed by the learned APP that the applicant has attended the

3 9aba16.2026.odt concerned Police Station. It is also fairly stated by the learned APP that the applicant was not paid a single pie towards salary.

7.

Moreover, prima-facie, it reveals that the applicant was not responsible either for forwarding the proposal or for creation of the Shalarth ID. Since the applicant has cooperated with the Investigating Officer, and co-accused who was similarly circumstanced has already been granted anticipatory bail by the Coordinate Bench of this Court in Criminal Application (ABA) No. 555 of 2025, I am inclined to allow the present application. Accordingly, I proceed to pass the following order.

ORDER

a) The Criminal Application (ABA) is allowed. b) The order passed by this Court dated 12/01/2026, granting ad-interim anticipatory bail, is confirmed.

c) In the event of arrest, in connection with First Information Report No. 254/2025, dated 11/04/2025, registered with Police Station Sadar Dist. Nagpur for the offence punishable under Sections 420, 465, 468, 471, 472, 409, 120-B read with Section 34 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860, applicant namely Smt Punam w/o Shaileshkumar Pardhi (Punam Arunkumar Bhagat) shall be released on bail on furnishing a P.R. bond of Rs. 25,000/- (Twenty Five

4 9aba16.2026.odt Thousand only) with one solvent surety in the like amount.

d) The applicant shall attend the concerned Police as and when called by the Investigating Officer.

e) The applicant shall not tamper with the prosecution evidence or influence the witnesses.

f) The applicant shall not leave the India without prior permission of the Court.

8.

The criminal application stands disposed of.

(RAJNISH R. VYAS, J.) rkn