Bombay High Court

AAKASHANK BALKRUSHNA CHANDANEversusTHE STATE OF MAHARASHTRA

Disposal: Allowed

Holding

The Court allowed the anticipatory bail, confirming the interim order and making it absolute subject to specified conditions.

Summary

Aashank Balkrushna Chandane was implicated in FIR No. 733 of 2025 for alleged offences under Sections 420, 467, 468 and 471 IPC, relating to a claim that a 2006 Non‑Agricultural (N.A.) order was fabricated. He applied for anticipatory bail, asserting ownership of the land and that the dispute concerned cancellation of a sale deed. The Court initially granted interim bail on condition of furnishing a bond and cooperating with the investigation, including producing the original N.A. order. After the applicant appeared before the investigating officer, handed over the original N.A. order dated 15 June 2006 and obtained acknowledgment, the State counsel noted the document had been forwarded for verification. Considering the applicant’s compliance, the Court confirmed the earlier interim bail and made it absolute, imposing additional conditions such as a higher bond, non‑interference with witnesses, and regular reporting to the investigating officer. The anticipatory bail application was therefore disposed in favour of the applicant.

Issues considered

Whether anticipatory bail should be granted in a case involving alleged forgery and cheating under IPC Sections 420, 467, 468 and 471.
Whether the applicant’s cooperation, including production of the original N.A. order, satisfies the conditions for converting interim bail to absolute bail.

Legislation cited

Indian Penal Code, 1860 — s. 420, 467, 468, 471

Subjects

anticipatory bail
IPC 420
IPC 467
IPC 468
IPC 471
non‑agricultural order
land dispute
cooperation with investigation
bail conditions

Judgment

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IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY
CIRCUIT BENCH AT KOLHAPUR
Digitally
signed by
VAIBHAV
VAIBHAV RAMESH
CRIMINAL APPELLATE JURISDICTION
RAMESH JADHAV
JADHAV Date:
2026.10.06
14:43:32
+0530

CRIMINAL ANTICIPATORY BAIL APPLICATION NO. 2455 OF 2025

Aashank Balkrushna Chandane … Applicant
Versus.
The State of Maharashtra … Respondent

Mr. Shivraj Jagadale i/by Mr. Vijay Killedar for the
Applicant.
Mr. N. B. Patil, APP for the State.
Patil, PSI, Sangola Police Station is present.

-------
CORAM : ASHWIN D. BHOBE, J.

DATED : OCTOBER 5, 2026
P.C.:

1. Heard Mr. Shivraj Jagadale, learned Advocate for the Applicant

and Mr. N. B. Patil, learned APP for the State.

2. On 19th November 2025, the following order was passed:

“1. Heard the learned counsel for the Applicants, learned APP for the
Respondent-State and learned counsel for the Intervenor.

2. Learned counsel for the applicant submits that the applicant owns the
land and the NA of the said land was done in the year 2006. The dispute is
going on between the applicant and the first informant about cancellation of
sale deed. To rope the applicant in false case, the present FIR is lodged stating
that the NA order passed in the year 2006 is fake and fabricated

3. The learned APP seeks time to take instructions as the offence is
registered against the applicant in respect of the NA order passed in the year
2006, i.e. around 20 years.

4. Issue notice to Respondents returnable on 4th December, 2025.

5. Till the next date, in the event of arrest of Appellant Mr. Aashank

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Balkrushna Chandane in connection with investigation of crim no. 733 of
2025 registered with Sangola Police Station, Dist-Solapur for the offences
punishable under Sections 420, 467,468 and 471 of Indian Penal Code, 1860
shall be released on interim bail on furnishing P. R. Bond in the sum of Rs.
20,000/- with one or two solvent sureties in the like amount.

6. Applicant shall attend the police station as and when required.”

3. On 12th January 2026, the following order was passed:

“1. The Applicant to attend the concerned police station from 19th to
24th January, 2026 between 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and shall co-operate in
the investigation.

2. Stand over to 29th January, 2026.

3. Interim protection, if any, to continue.”

4. On 31st August 2026, the following order was passed:

“1. Mr. Nitin Patil, learned APP for the State, by referring to the interim
protection granted by this Court to the Applicant, submits that the interim
protection was granted on the basis of an assurance given by the Applicant,
through his Counsel, that the original N.A. (Non-Agricultural) Order, which is
the subject matter of the F.I.R., would be produced by the Applicant before
the Investigating Officer. He submits that, till date, the original N.A. (Non-
Agricultural) Order has not been produced before the Investigating Officer.

2. Mr. Vijay Killekar, learned Advocate for the Applicant, requests for an
adjournment till tomorrow to enable the Applicant to produce the original
Non-Agricultural Order.

3. At the request of Mr. Vijay Killekar, learned Advocate for the Applicant,
list the matter on 1st September 2026.”

5. On 1st September 2026, the following order was passed:

“1. Mr. Vijay Kiledar, learned Advocate for the Applicant, states that he is
carrying the original N.A. (Non-Agricultural) Order and that the Applicant
shall hand over the said original N.A. Order to the Investigating Officer,
Sangola Police Station, investigating Crime No.733 of 2025. He states that the
Applicant shall hand over the said original N.A. (Non-Agricultural) Order to
the Investigating Officer on 4th September, 2026. He states that the Applicant
shall appear before the Investigating Officer on 4 th September, 2026 at 11:00
a.m., for handing over N.A. (Non-Agricultural) Order.
2. Mr. Vijay Killedar, learned Advocate for the Applicant submits that the
Investigating Officer should give an acknowledgment of receipt of the original

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N.A. (Non-Agricultural) Order.
3. At the request of Mr. Vijay Kiledar, learned Advocate for the Applicant,
and with the consent of Mr. Nitin B. Patil, learned A.P.P. for the Respondent –
State, list this matter on 9th September, 2026.
4. Interim order granted earlier, if any, to continue till the next date.”

6. Mr. Shivraj Jagadale, learned Advocate for the Applicant, states

that the Applicant has appeared before the Investigating Officer and has

cooperated with the investigation in Crime No. 733 of 2025. He states

that the Applicant has handed over the original N.A. (Non-Agricultural)

Order dated 15th June 2006 to the Investigating Officer, who has also

given him an acknowledgement.

7. Mr. N. B. Patil, learned APP for the State, on instructions from the

Investigating Officer, submits that the Applicant has appeared before the

Investigating Officer and has tendered the original N.A. (Non-

Agricultural) Order dated 15th June 2006. He submits that the said N.A.

(Non-Agricultural) Order dated 15th June 2006 has been forwarded for

verification.

8. In view of the statements made by Mr Shivraj Jagadale, learned

Advocate for the Applicant and Mr. N. B. Patil, learned APP for the

State, that the Applicant has appeared and cooperated with the

investigation, further , the Applicant being on interim bail since

November 2025, this Application is allowed by confirming the order

dated 19th November 2025 and making the same absolute in terms of

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paragraph No. 5 of the said order, subject to the following additional

conditions:

9. Additional Conditions:

(a) In the event of arrest of the Applicant in Crime No. 733 of

2025 registered with Sangola Police Station, District - Solapur,

the Applicant shall be released on bail upon furnishing a PR

bond in the sum of Rs. 50,000/-, with two sureties in the like

amount to the satisfaction of the Investigating Officer, Sangola

Police Station.

(b) The 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 those facts to the Court or any police officer.

Applicant shall not tamper with evidence in any manner.

Sangola Police Station, on 12th , 13th , 14th and 15th October

2026 from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., and thereafter, as and

when required by the Investigating Officer. Applicant shall

cooperate with the Investigating Officer in the process of

investigation of Crime No. 733 of 2025.

(d) The Applicant shall provide the Investigation Officer, Sangola

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Police Station, with his residential address along with proof,

his contact number and must inform the Investigating Officer

of any changes to this information from time to time.

10. Anticipatory Bail Application No. 2455 of 2025 is disposed of.

(ASHWIN D. BHOBE, J.)

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