Pavan Chandrakant Pawar v. The State Of Maharashtra

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY

CRIMINAL APPELLATE JURISDICTION ANTICIPATORY BAIL APPLICATION NO. 1164 OF 2026 Pavan Chandrakant Pawar ... Applicant Versus.

The State Of Maharashtra ... Respondent ----- Mr. Satyajeet Dighe a/w Abhijeet Khade, for the Applicant. Mr. Ameet Palkar, APP for the Respondent - State. ------- CORAM : ASHWIN D. BHOBE, J.

DATE : 30th April, 2026.

P.C. :

1.

By the present Application under Section 482 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, the Applicant seeks pre-arrest Bail in connection with Crime No. 511 of 2025, dated 11.10.2025 ("FIR"), registered with the Nashik Road Police Station, District Nashik, for offences punishable under Sections 351, 352, 353(2) and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 and Section 7 of the Criminal Amendment Act, 1932. 2.

Case of the prosecution is that the Complainant, while monitoring social media, came across a video uploaded on Instagram, in which the Applicant was seen with other co-accused

persons. The Complainant found the said video offensive, its contents having the effect of creating an atmosphere of fear in society and accordingly, registered the offence. 3.

Mr. Satyajeet Dighe, learned Advocate for the Applicant, submits that the Applicant was merely seen in the video without any overt act. He submits that the Applicant is ready and willing to cooperate with the investigation and to abide by such conditions as may be deemed fit and proper.

4.

Mr. Ameet Palkar learned APP for the Respondent on instructions from the Investigation Officer, states that the custodial interrogation of the Applicant is presently not required. However, the Applicant's presence is required for the investigation. He submits that stringent conditions be imposed on the Applicant, including the requirement to attend the Police Station as and when required by the Investigation Officer.

5.

Mr Satyajeet Dighe, learned Advocate for the Applicant, on instructions from the Applicant, states that the Applicant will cooperate with the investigation and shall remain present at the

Nashik Road Police Station, District Nashik, as and when required by the Investigation Officer.

6.

In view of the above, this Application is allowed on the following terms :- (a) In the event of arrest of the Applicant in Crime No. 511 of 2025 dated 11.10.2025 registered with Nashik Road Police Station, District Nashik, the Applicant shall be released on bail on furnishing a PR bond in the sum of Rs. 25,000/- (Rupees Twenty Five Thousand only) with one or two local sureties in the like amount. (b) Applicant shall report to the Investigation Officer, Nashik Road Police Station, District Nashik, on the 2nd and 4th Saturday of every month between 11.00 am to 12.00 pm., commencing from the month of May 2026. In the event the Applicant is required by the Investigating Officer, Nashik Road Police Station,

District Nashik, on any other day, the Applicant shall ensure his presence before the Investigating Officer.

(c) Applicant shall not directly or indirectly make any inducement, threat or promise to any person/s acquainted with the facts of the case to dissuade such person/s from disclosing the facts to the Court or any police officer.

(d) Applicant shall not tamper with evidence in any manner.

(e) Applicant shall provide the Investigation Officer with his residential address along with proof, his contact number, email and must inform the Investigating Officer of any changes to this information from time to time.

(f) Applicant shall cooperate with the Investigating Officer in the process of investigation of the present Crime.

7.

Anticipatory Bail Application No. 1164 of 2026 is disposed off.

(ASHWIN D. BHOBE, J.) Digitally signed by ARJUN KRISHNA RODGE Date:

2026.05.01 13:23:51 +0530 ARJUN KRISHNA RODGE