Sunil Vitthal Ranjane v. The State Of Maharashtra And ANR

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY

NAGPUR BENCH, NAGPUR.

CRIMINAL APPLICATION (ABA) NO. 152 OF 2026 (Vinod Dalchandji Gokhale Vs. State, thr PSO, PS Achalpur, Dist. Amravati) ________________________________________________________________ Office Notes, Office Memoranda of Coram, appearances, Court's orders of directions Court's or Judge's orders.

and Registrar's Orders.

Mr. Anirudha A. Krishnan, Advocate for applicant. Mr N.S. Autkar, APP for Non-applicant /State. CORAM : M.W. CHANDWANI, J.

DATE : 16.03.2026.

Heard the learned counsel for the applicant and learned APP for the non-applicant/State.

1.

The applicant is seeking anticipatory bail in connection with Crime No. 36/2026, registered with Police Station Achalpur, Dist. Amravati for the offences punishable under Sections 318(4), 335, 336(2), 336(3) and 340(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023.

2.

It is alleged in the First Information Report that the land of Gat No. 3/1, 4/3, Khata No. 646, admeasuring total 1.70 HR area belongs to the husband of the complainant. However, the accused/applicant Vinod Gokhale, who is the brother of the deceased and the brother-in-law of the complainant has encroached upon the said land. 3.

The allegations are that the applicant prepared a forged consent letter of the daughter of the complainant to

avail subsidy on the said land and deposited it in the bank. When the complainant came to know this fact, she raised an objection before the Patwari and lodged a complaint before the concerned police station against the applicant. 4.

It appears that during the pendency of the application, the applicant was protected by ad interim order of this Court with a direction to attend the concerned Police Station. Accordingly, the applicant has appeared before the concerned investigating authority and cooperated in the investigation. The said forged document has already been seized from the applicant. The applicant is ready to deposit Rs. 14,450/- to show his bonafides. According to the applicant, he is entitled to receive the said amount, since a gift deed has been executed by his mother in his favour. Therefore, he is the owner of the said ancestral land. All these are disputed facts and are a matter of trial. 5.

Considering the fact that the document has already been seized and the fact that in order to show bonafides, the applicant is ready to deposit Rs. 14,450/- with the Investigating Officer. In my view, the interim order passed by this Court can be confirmed.

6.

Hence, the application is allowed. Interim order dated 25.2.2026 is hereby confirmed.

7.

The applicant shall appear before the concerned

police station as and when directed and cooperate in the investigation.

8.

Appearance of the applicant before the Investigating Officer shall be treated as custody within the meaning of Section 23 of the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023. JUDGE Belkhede PS