Nita Narayan Pale v. The State Of Maharashtra And ORS

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY CIRCUIT BENCH AT KOLHAPUR CRIMINAL APPELLATE JURISDICTION ANTICIPATORY BAIL APPLICATION NO. 150 OF 2026 Nita Narayan Pale ... Applicant

Versus

The State of Maharashtra & ors.

... Respondents *** Mr. Ritesh Thobde i/by Adv. Changdev S Shingade for the Applicant. Mr. S. S. Choudhary, A. P. P. for the Respondent-State. Supriya Gawade, Police Inspector, Anti-Corruption Bureau Satara present. ***

CORAM

: M.W. CHANDWANI, J.

DATE : 27th April, 2026.

P. C. :

1.

The Applicant is apprehending arrest in connection with Crime No. 45 of 2026, registered with Mhaswad Police Station, District Satara, for the offence punishable under Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988. The said crime is presently being investigated by the Anti-Corruption Bureau, Satara.

2.

Heard the learned counsels for the parties. I have gone through the case diary.

3.

It appears that the Applicant is a Police Constable attached to Mhaswad Police Station, Satara. She was investigating a case registered against the Complainant for the offences punishable under the provisions of the Motor

Vehicles Act as well as the Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023. 4.

The prosecution case is that the Applicant allegedly demanded an amount of 10,000/- from the Complainant for releasing his vehicle. On this ₹ basis, the Complainant lodged a complaint with the Anti-Corruption Bureau, Satara. During verification, the demand was purportedly confirmed. Thereafter, the Complainant was sent to meet the Applicant along with a panch witness equipped with a voice recorder. It is alleged that the Applicant, by gestures, inquired about the amount brought by the Complainant. The Complainant, however, sought time. Subsequently, the Investigating Officer decided to lay a trap, and tainted currency notes were handed over to the Complainant. However, as per the case diary, the trap was unsuccessful and was ultimately called off after some days.

5.

Perusal of the trap panchanama reveals that at the time of the trap, no demand for money was made by the Applicant, nor did the Complainant attempt to hand over the tainted currency notes. There was no indication from the Complainant that he had brought the amount allegedly demanded. Thus, prima facie, it appears that the trap panchanama is silent regarding any demand or acceptance. Although, the verification panchanama suggests a prior demand, in view of the failed trap, nothing is required to be seized from the Applicant. Therefore, custodial interrogation of the Applicant does not appear to be necessary.

6.

Undoubtedly, offences under the Prevention of Corruption Act are serious; however, considering the peculiar facts of the present case, particularly the absence of any demand or acceptance during the trap, a case is made out for granting anticipatory bail. This is especially so when the arrest of a public servant may adversely affect her service. 7.

As regards the concern of the Investigating Officer that the voice sample of the Applicant is required for identification, the Applicant can be subjected to appropriate conditions to facilitate the same. 8.

In view of the above, the Applicant deserves to be protected by granting the extraordinary relief of anticipatory bail, subject to stringent conditions. Hence, the following order:

::ORDER::

a) Anticipatory Bail Application is allowed.

b) In the event of arrest in connection with Crime No. 45 of 2026, registered at Mhaswad Police Station, District Satara, for an offence punishable under Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 (presently being investigated by the Anti-Corruption Bureau, Satara) Applicant-Nita Narayan Pale, shall be released on bail upon furnishing a P.R. bond of 25,000/- with one solvent surety ₹ in the like amount.

c) The Applicant shall attend the concerned police station on every Friday and Monday from 10.00 a.m. onwards for a period of two weeks and shall cooperate in the investigation. d) The Applicant shall not tamper with the prosecution evidence or threaten the prosecution witnesses and shall fully cooperate in the investigation.

f) With these directions, the Application stands disposed of. [ M.W. CHANDWANI, J. ] Digitally signed by TALLE SHUBHAM ASHOKRAO Date:

2026.04.28 19:05:13 +0530 TALLE SHUBHAM ASHOKRAO