Bhushan Bhimrao Bhise v. The State Of Maharashtra And ANR.

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY CIRCUIT BENCH AT KOLHAPUR CRIMINAL APPELLATE JURISDICTION CR. ANTICIPATORY BAIL APPLN. NO. 158 OF 2026 Bhushan Bhimrao Bhise ... Applicant

Versus

The State Of Maharashtra And Anr.

... Respondents ------ Mr. Umesh H. Pawar a/w. Mr. Shivprasad Gaikwad for the Applicant. Mrs. S.N. Deshmukh, A.P.P. for the Respondents-State. Officer : PSI Mr. Misal and HC/1348 Mr. Kanade, Islampur P.S., present. ------ Coram : RANJITSINHA RAJA BHONSALE, J.

Date : 17th April 2026.

PER COURT :

1.

This is an application seeking anticipatory bail in connection with F.I.R. No. 0333 of 2025 dated 1st August 2025, registered with Islampur Police Station, District Sangli, for the offences punishable under Sections 103(1), 115(2), 351(2) and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023. 2.

Heard Mr. Pawar, learned counsel for the Applicant, and Mrs. Deshmukh, learned A.P.P. for the Respondent-State. Perused the entire record. 3.

The prosecution case is that two days prior to the incident, a quarrel had taken place between deceased Rohit Pawar on one side and accused 1 of

Shivtej Patil and Digvijay Patil on the other. Owing to the said quarrel, accused Shivtej Patil and Digvijay Patil allegedly bore a grudge against the deceased. On 1st August 2025, when the complainant Onkar Gurav and deceased Rohit Pawar were standing in front of R.I.T. College, accused Hauserao Kumar Ambi, Digvijay Patil and Shivtej Patil came there. A quarrel ensued between them on account of staring at each other. It is further alleged that the deceased Rohit Patil took out a knife and attempted to assault the said accused. During the scuffle, accused Hauserao Kumar Ambi allegedly snatched the knife from the deceased and assaulted him. It is further alleged that Digvijay Patil assaulted the deceased with a 'lokhandi pali (koyta)'. The deceased Rohit Patil was allegedly attacked by Hauserao Kumar Ambi with the said koyta, and accused Shivtej Patil assaulted the deceased with kicks and fist blows.

4.

The supplementary statement of the complainant was recorded on 4th August 2025. A perusal of the same indicates that the complainant has materially improved his version by stating that the deceased Rohit Pawar did not possess a knife and that it was Hauserao Kumar Ambi who had brought the knife. It is further alleged in the supplementary statement that, the motive / reason for the quarrel was on account of staring at each other and some financial transactions. It is only in the supplementary statement that, a reference is made to an incident that allegedly occurred one and a half 2 of

months prior. It is stated that one Piyush Dabu had financial dealings with the deceased Rohit Pawar, which resulted in disputes. It is further alleged that on account of refusal by the deceased to pay money, Piyush Dabu, along with his associates Digvijay Patil, Shivtej Patil, Bhushan Bhise (present Applicant) and Hauserao Kumar Ambi, conspired to kill the deceased. It is further alleged that the said Piyush Dabu provided the knife. 5.

Learned counsel for the Applicant submits that the name of the Applicant does not find mention in the F.I.R.. It is submitted that the supplementary statement recorded on 4th August 2025, i.e., three days after registration of the F.I.R., merely contains a vague and general allegation of conspiracy against the Applicant without attributing any overt act. It is further submitted that even the panchanama dated 8th August 2025 does not disclose any act of commission or omission on the part of the Applicant in relation to the alleged conspiracy.

6.

Learned counsel for the Applicant, on instructions, submits that the Applicant is ready and willing to cooperate with the investigation and shall attend the Police Station as and when called by the Investigating Officer. 7.

Learned A.P.P., on the other hand, opposed the application and submitted that the Applicant has participated in the conspiracy and is seen in the CCTV footage. The Applicant is seen sitting in the car. It is further submitted that there exists a motive against the Applicant. 3 of

8.

A perusal of the F.I.R. indicates that the name of the Applicant is not mentioned therein. Even in the supplementary statement dated 4th August 2025, there is only a bald allegation of conspiracy without any particulars or attribution of specific role to the Applicant. The supplementary statement appears to introduce a different motive and materially alters the earlier version of the incident.

9.

It is also noted that, as per the supplementary statement, Piyush Dabu is the main conspirator. It is pertinent to note that the said Piyush Dabu has been granted anticipatory bail by the Hon'ble Supreme Court by order dated 27th February 2026 passed in S.L.P. (Crl.) No. 952 of 2026. 10.

Considering the aforesaid facts and circumstances, I am inclined to grant anticipatory bail to the Applicant. Hence, the following order: (i) Anticipatory Bail Application is allowed.

(ii) In the event of arrest in connection with F.I.R. No. 0333 of 2025 dated 1st August 2025, registered with Islampur Police Station, District Sangli, for the aforesaid offences, the Applicant - Bhushan Bhimrao Bhise shall be released on bail on furnishing a P.R. bond of Rs. 50,000/- with one or more solvent sureties in the like amount.

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(iii) The Applicant shall cooperate with the Investigating Agency. The Applicant shall provide his mobile number / contact details and address of place of residence. The Applicant shall inform the Investigating Officer / Agency, the change if any, in respect of the contact details and/or a place of residence.

(iv) The Applicant shall report to the Investigating Officer every Wednesday between 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m., and thereafter as and when called, till completion of investigation. In the event of non-cooperation or delay attributable to the Applicant, it shall be open to the Investigating Officer / Trial Court to take appropriate steps in accordance with law.

[ RANJITSINHA RAJA BHONSALE, J. ] by OMKAR SHIVAHAR KUMBHAKARN Date:

2026.04.17 20:14:24 +0530 OMKAR SHIVAHAR KUMBHAKARN 5 of