Sheikh Akil Urf Maulana Sheikh Rafique v. The State Of Maharashtra Through Pso Ps Malegaon
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY
NAGPUR BENCH, NAGPUR.
CRIMINAL APPLICATION (ABA) NO. 81 OF 2026 (Sheikh Akil @ Maulana Sheikh Rafique Vs. State, thr PSO, PS Malegaon, Dist Washim) ________________________________________________________________ Office Notes, Office Memoranda of Coram, appearances, Court's orders of directions Court's or Judge's orders.
and Registrar's Orders.
Mr. M.N. Ali, Advocate for applicant.
Mr. N.S. Autkar, APP for non-applicant/State. : M.W. CHANDWANI, J.
DATE : 11.03.2026.
Heard Mr. Ali, learned counsel for the applicant and Mr. Autkar, learned APP for non-applicant/State. 2.
The applicant is seeking anticipatory bail in connection with Crime No. 68/2024, registered with Police Station, Malegaon, Dist Washim, for the offences punishable under Sections 470, 419, 420, 120-B read with Section 34 of the Indian Penal Code and Section 3 of the Maharashtra Prevention and Eradication of Human Sacrifice and Other Inhuman Evil and Aghori Practices and Black Magic Act, 2013.
3.
The allegations in the FIR are that the complainant along with his friend got knowledge about one Taydebaba - the main accused who used to provide ash (bhasma) which turns currency notes of 500 denomination into multiple notes. Therefore, the complainant along with his friend went to Taydebaba in a village situated at Mehkar-Risod
road. At the spot, Taydebaba was sitting and lots of currency notes in denomination of Rs.500/- were scattered. At that time, the present applicant was present in the shed. It is also the case of the prosecution that thereafter, the complainant and his friend arranged an amount of Rs. 8 lakhs to get the ash.
4.
On 5.2.2024, they were called at Akola by Taydebaba. Thereafter, they proceeded towards Washim. When they reached Patur, the amount of Rs. 8 lakhs was handed over to a person named Sheikh Salim who came there at the instance of Taydebaba. After the money was handed over to Sheikh Salim, they proceeded towards Satara but on their way back, their car was intercepted by a Tata Sumo car. Four persons dressed as Police Officers in Khaki uniform alighted from the vehicle and started beating Sheikh Chand and Taydebaba. Thereafter, those four persons as well as Sheikh Chand and Tayadebaba sat in the Tata Sumo car and fled away. The complainant and his friend tried to follow the Tata Sumo but they could not trace them. That is when the complainant came to know that he has been scammed by these persons and consequently, the FIR came to be registered.
5.
It appears that there is no allegation that the complainant has paid any amount to the present applicant. The only role assigned to the applicant is that when the complainant visited Taydebaba on 23.1.2024, the applicant
was present there. It is informed that the charge sheet has already been filed, which goes to show that the investigation is complete.
6.
Considering the role assigned to the present applicant and the fact that the investigation is complete, a case is made out for grant of anticipatory bail. Hence, the following order is passed:
i) In the event of arrest, in connection with Crime No. 68/2024, registered with Police Station, Malegaon, Dist Washim, the applicant Sheikh Akil @ Maulana Sheikh Rafique be released on bail on furnishing a P.R. bond of Rs. 25,000/- with one solvent surety in the like amount.
ii) The applicant shall attend the concerned Police Station every Tuesday and Friday, for four weeks, between 10.00 to 12.00 hrs and shall cooperate in the investigation.
iii) The applicant shall not tamper with the prosecution evidence and shall not threaten the prosecution witness.
With this the application stands disposed of. JUDGE Belkhede