ANANT KASHINATH SONAWANEversusSTATE OF MAHARASHTRA

                                                  34-ABA-2441-2026.DOC




          IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY
                CRIMINAL APPELLATE JURISDICTION
         ANTICIPATORY BAIL APPLICATION NO.2441 OF 2026


Anant Kashinath Sonawane                             …Applicant
      Versus
The State of Maharashtra                             …Respondent


Ms. Anima Mishra a/w. Mr. Anuj Singh, Mr. Vinod Patil, Ms.
Priyanka P., Ms. Ritu Singh i/b. Dhaara Legal, for the Applicant.
Mrs. Savita M. Yadav, APP, for the Respondent-State.
Mr R. C. Thoke, PSI, attached to Sarkarwada Police Station,
Nashik, present.


                       CORAM:      MADHAV J. JAMDAR, J.
                       DATED :     18th SEPTEMBER 2026
PC:-


1.       Heard Ms. Mishra, learned Counsel appearing for the

Applicant and Mrs. Yadav, learned APP appearing for the

Respondent-State.



2.       This application is filed under Section 482 of the Bharatiya

Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (“BNSS”) seeking pre-arrest bail

in connection with C.R. No.174 of 2026 registered with

Sarkarwada Police Station, Nashik, for the offences punishable




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under Sections 3(5), 318(4), 351(2), 351(3) and 352 of the

Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 (“BNS”).



3.       The prosecution case is set out in paragraph No.2 of the

order dated 24th July 2026 passed by the learned Additional

Sessions Judge, Nashik, in Criminal Bail Application No.1404 of

2026, which reads as under:



            “2. According to the prosecution, informant's son
            Shubham was searching job. He came in contact
            with one Vinod Dive, through their known person
            Devidas Dhomase. Said Devidas Dhomase
            assured Shubham and his family that he will
            arrange to provide government job to Shubham.
            Thereafter,    Devidas     Dhomase       introduced
            Shubham with Vinod Dive, in turn, said Vinod
            Dive introduced the present applicant with
            Shubham. The present applicant is working with
            Maharashtra University of Health and Science
            (MUHS). He assured Shubham and his mother
            that, he will provide the job to Shubham, but
            they have to pay Rs.10,00,000/-. Believing the
            assurance given by Anant Sonawane, the
            informant has paid Rs.5,00,000/- by cash and
            Rs.3,00,000/- by cheque to Anant Sonawane
            during the period 10.07.2023 to 27.03.2024.
            However, after receiving money, said Anant
            Sonawane started avoiding the informant and her
            son Shubham. Despite of repeated persuasion,
            Anant Sonawane did not pay heed to the same.
            Lastly, the informant made inquiry with MUHS
            about the vacancy position, she was informed,
            there is no vacancy in the institute. That time, the
            informant realized, she has been cheated. The



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            informant made complaint against Anant
            Sonawane with the MUHS. The inquiry was set
            up against Anant Sonawane by the department.
            So, on 03.09.2025 Anant Sonawane with
            intention to repay Rs.8,00,000/- to the
            informant, issued cheque of Rs.8,00,000/-
            through Vinod Dive and Devidas Dhomase. The
            amount credited in the bank account of
            informant, seen debited after three hours.
            Therefore, the informant made demand of
            Rs.8,00,000/- with the Vinod Dive and Devidas
            Dhomase. They assured to return the amount
            within two months and started avoiding and
            threatening the informant of dire consequences.”


4.       Thus, as per the prosecution case, the Applicant, who is

working with Maharashtra University of Health and Science

(MUHS), Nashik as Pro-Vice Chancellor told the First Informant

that for the purpose of giving service to the First Informant’s son,

an amount of Rs.8,00,000/- (Rupees Eight Lakh only) are required

to be paid and in fact, accordingly, Rs.3,00,000/- (Rupees Three

Lakh only) were paid by two cheques of Rs.2,00,000/- (Rupees

Two Lakh only) and Rs.1,00,000/- (Rupees One Lakh only), which

are the bearer cheques. The FIR further records that in fact, the

Applicant went to the Central Bank of India and withdrawn the

said money on the basis of the said bearer cheques and at that

time, the officials of the Central Bank of India by calling the First

Informant confirmed that the amount is to be given to the




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            Applicant. However, inspite of receipt of Rs.8,00,000/- (Rupees

            Eight Lakh only), the First Informant’s son was not given the

            service therefore, the FIR has been filed.



            5.       Thus, the crime is very serious in nature. The Applicant who

            is higher functionary i.e. Pro Vice Chancellor of the said

            Maharashtra University of Health and Science is prima facie

            involved in the commission of crime of accepting huge amount of

            Rs.8,00,000/- (Rupees Eight Lakh only) for giving public

            employment.



            6.       Accordingly, no case is made out for grant of Anticipatory

            Bail.



            7.       The Anticipatory Bail Application is dismissed.




                                                         [MADHAV J. JAMDAR, J.]
       Digitally
       signed by
       SONALI
SONALI MILIND
MILIND PATIL
PATIL Date:
       2026.09.19
       13:02:49
       +0530




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