Bombay High Court

CHIRAG GOPAL PADWALversusSTATE OF MAHARASHTRA

Decided: 27 February 2026
Disposal: Allowed
Bench: N R BORKAR

Holding

The court allowed the anticipatory bail application, granting bail subject to a personal bond and cooperation with the investigation.

Summary

The applicant, Chirag G. Padwal, filed an anticipatory bail application fearing arrest in Crime No. 214 of 2025 for alleged forgery of government documents under several sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023. The prosecution alleged his involvement based on a co‑accused's interrogation, while the applicant contended he had no role and no prior criminal record. The court examined the investigation file and found that the primary allegations were against the co‑accused Ganesh Thakur, with no incriminating material against the applicant. Considering the lack of evidence and the applicant's clean antecedents, the court granted anticipatory bail. The order directed the applicant to execute a personal bond of Rs.25,000 with one or two sureties and to cooperate with the investigating officer.

Issues considered

Whether the applicant is entitled to anticipatory bail under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 despite the prosecution's claim of his involvement.

Legislation cited

Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 — s. 318(4), 336(3), 337, 338, 339, 340(2), 341(1)

Subjects

anticipatory bail
forgery
Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita
criminal antecedents
co‑accused
investigation cooperation

Judgment

917-aba-524-26.doc

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY
CRIMINAL APPELLATE JURISDICTION
ANTICIPATORY BAIL APPLICATION NO.524 OF 2026

Chirag G. Padwal …Applicant
V/s.
The State of Maharashtra ...Respondent.
…………..
Mr. Sunny Wakar a/w. Adv. Harshada Morey and Adv. Sarita Tripathi
for the Applicant.
Mr. S.R. Agarkar, APP for the Respondent/State.
API Chavan S.A., Aarey Police Station is present.
…………..

CORAM : N.R. BORKAR, J.
DATE : 27.02.2026.

P.C. :

1. This is an application for anticipatory bail.

2. The applicant is apprehending his arrest in Crime No. 214 of
2025 registered at Aarey Sub Police Station for the offences
punishable under Sections 318(4), 336(3), 337, 338, 339, 340(2)
and 341(1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023.

3. The allegations against the present applicant and the co-
accused are of forgery of government documents.

4. I have heard the learned counsel appearing for the applicant
and the learned APP for the respondent / State.

5. Learned counsel for the applicant submits that the applicant
has nothing to do with the alleged crime. It is submitted that the

Dinesh S. Sherla 1/3
917-aba-524-26.doc

main allegations are against the co-accused Ganesh Thakur. It is
submitted that there are no other criminal antecedents against
the applicant.

6. On the other hand, learned APP for the respondent/State
submits that the applicant is involved in serious crime of forgery. It
is submitted that during interrogation, the co-accused has
revealed the involvement of the present applicant in the crime in
question. It is submitted that considering the nature of crime, the
applicant may not be released on anticipatory bail.

7. I have perused the papers of investigation. The main
allegations are against the co-accused. Except the disclosure
statement of co-accused there is no other incriminating material
against the applicant. There are no other criminal antecedents
against the applicant. Considering the overall facts and
circumstances, I am inclined to release the applicant on
anticipatory bail. In the result, the following order is passed.
ORDER

A) The Application is allowed.

B) In the event of arrest of the applicant in C.R. No.214 of
2025 registered at Aarey Sub Police Station for the offences
punishable under Sections 318(4), 336(3), 337, 338, 339,
340(2) and 341(1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 , he
be released on bail on executing P.R. Bond in the sum of
Rs.25,000/- with one surety or two sureties in the like
amount.

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917-aba-524-26.doc

C) The applicant shall attend the concerned police station
as and when called by the Investigating Officer and shall
cooperate in the investigation.

[N.R.BORKAR, J.]

Dinesh S. Sherla 3/3

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