Amol Bhanudas Kotkar v. The State Of Maharashtra
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY
PURTI PRASAD PARAB CRIMINAL APPELLATE JURISDICTION PURTI PRASAD PARAB Date: 2026.03.16 19:17:57 +0530 INTERIM APPLICATION NO. 524 OF 2026 IN CRIMINAL APPEAL NO. 361 OF 2016 Amol Bhanudas Kotkar ...Applicant
Versus
The State of Maharashtra
...Respondent
ALONGWITH INTERIM APPLICATION NO. 525 OF 2026 IN CRIMINAL APPEAL NO. 362 OF 2016 Sandeep Bhanudas Kotkar ...Applicant
Versus
The State of Maharashtra
...Respondent
_______ Mr. Hrishikesh Ghorpade a/w Ms. Tanvi Tapkire and Mr. Siddharth N. Sutaria i/b Mr. Abhaykumar Dilip Ostwal for the Applicants in both the Applications.
Ms. Sharmila S. Kaushik, APP for Respondent - State. _______
CORAM:
MANISH PITALE & SHREERAM V. SHIRSAT, JJ.
DATE:
16th MARCH 2026 P.C.
1.
These two Applications have been moved by the Applicants (Original Appellants) and convicted accused persons, seeking relaxation of condition for one day imposed upon them while granting bail, of not entering District Ahilyanagar (earlier District Ahmednagar) during the pendency of the Appeals.
2.
We are informed that two co-accused persons have been already granted relaxation of the said condition during the pendency of their Appeals.
3.
We had called for the Learned APP to take instructions in the matter. As regards Applicant - Amol Bhanudas Kotkar, i.e., Applicant in Interim Application No. 524 of 2026 in Criminal Appeal No. 361 of 2026, the Learned APP submits that he does not have any other criminal antecedents. Applicant Sandip Bhanudas Kotkar, i.e., Applicant in Interim Application No. 525 of 2026 in Criminal Appeal No. 362 of 2026 has one more case pending against him for offence under Section 302 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860. But it is further brought to our notice that this very Applicant was also granted relaxation of the said condition for specific period of time by a Division Bench of this Court as per order dated 18th October 2024 passed in Interim Application No. 1755 of 2024 in Criminal Appeal No. 362 of 2016. On another occasion, this Applicant was granted relaxation for specific period.
4.
These Applications were moved for seeking relaxation from the aforesaid condition for one day to attend an inauguration function of one Hotel located in District Ahilyanagar. As per the documents annexed to the Applications, the function was to take place on 1st March 2026. Thereafter, it was postponed for 14th March 2026 and we are informed that as on today it has been postponed for 19th March 2026.
5.
Considering the fact that the Applicants are seeking relaxation of the said condition only for one day to attend the said function and in the light of the fact that the Applicant - Amol Bhanudas Kotkar does not have any other criminal antecedents and while Applicant - Sandeep Bhanudas Kotkar does have another criminal antecedent, but he has been granted such relaxation for specific period earlier, we are inclined to allow the prayer made in the present Applications.
6.
In view of the above, the Applications are allowed by granting relaxation of the aforesaid condition imposed upon the Applicants of not entering Ahilyanagar District, only for 19th March 2026. This would enable them to attend the aforesaid function. It is made clear that the relaxation would be effective only for the aforesaid date, i.e., 19th March 2026 and shall cease to operate from the next day.
7.
The Applications stand disposed of.
(SHREERAM V. SHIRSAT, J.) (MANISH PITALE, J.)