RAJENDRA VISHNU PATILversusTHE STATE OF MAHARASHTRA AND ANR.

                                                           5-ABA-577-2026 (CR).doc


             IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY
                      CIRCUIT BENCH AT KOLHAPUR

                     CRIMINAL APPELLATE JURISDICTION

         CRIMINAL ANTICIPATORY BAIL APPLICATION NO. 577 OF 2026


Rajendra Vishnu Patil                               …...Petitioner
      Versus.
The State Of Maharashtra & Anr..                    …...Respondents

                                        -----
Mr. Wasim Samlewale, for the Applicant.
Dr. Ashwini Takalkar, A.P.P. for the Respondent-State.
Mr. Yogesh Chavan, P.I. ACB Sangli.
                                       -------

                                 Coram :     ASHWIN D. BHOBE, J.
                                 Date :      29th September 2026.

PER COURT :


1.       Heard, Mr. Wasim Samlewale, learned Advocate appearing for the

Applicant, and Dr. Ashwini Takalkar, learned A.P.P. for the State.


2.       By the present Application filed under Section 482 of the Bharatiya

Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (“BNSS”), the Applicant seeks pre-arrest

bail, apprehending arrest in Crime No. 178 of 2026, for offences punishable

under Sections 7, 7(A) and 12 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988,

registered at the Kadegaon Police Station, District Sangli.


3.       Mr. Wasim Samlewale, learned Advocate for the Applicant, states that


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there are two (2) Accused in Crime No. 178 of 2026. He states that the

Applicant is Accused No. 2, whereas Accused No. 1 (Manohar Dhondiram

Patil) is the public servant.


4.       The prosecution case is that Accused No. 1, a Circle Officer, demanded

a bribe of Rs.6,000/- to effect a mutation entry. The Applicant (Accused No.

2) is a private person who acted as a middleman on behalf of Accused No. 1.


5.       Mr. Wasim Samlewale, learned Advocate for the Applicant, states that

the Applicant is a private person. He submits that although the traps were

laid on 7th July 2026 and 13th July 2026, neither of the accused accepted the

bribe amount. He submits that Accused No. 1, who is the public servant, was

released on regular bail by the Sessions Court upon his arrest. He submits

that the Applicant is not involved in the crime and is ready to appear before

the Investigating Officer and to cooperate with the investigation in Crime No.

178 of 2026.


6.       Dr. Ashwini Takalkar, learned A.P.P. for the State, submits that Crime

No. 178 of 2026 is being investigated by the Investigating Officer, ACB,

Sangli . She by referring to the F.I.R. and its narration, submits that the

Applicant’s role as a middleman, facilitating communication between Accused

No. 1 and the gullible person, is established. She further submits that the

audio recording, along with the statements of the Pancha witnesses, support



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the prosecution case that the Applicant was acting as a middleman and

making demands on behalf of Accused No. 1. She further submits that the

Applicant’s custodial interrogation is required to secure his mobile phone and

to unearth the involvement of other persons.


7.       Perused the records with the assistance of learned Advocates.


8.       Apparently, the traps laid by the Respondent on 07 th July 2026 and 13th

July 2026 were unsuccessful. Neither of the Accused accepted the bribe

amount. The Applicant is a private person. The allegations against the

Applicant are that the Applicant acted as a facilitator/middleman for Accused

No. 1, who is a Circle Officer at Tondoli. Accused No. 1 (a public servant) has

been released on Regular Bail.


9.       Mr. Wasim Samlewale, learned Advocate for the Applicant, on

instructions from the Applicant, states that the Applicant shall surrender his

mobile phone, without formatting it, to the Investigating Officer on or before

30th September 2026. Statement accepted.


10.      In view of the aforesaid circumstances, custodial interrogation of the

Applicant in Crime No. 178 of 2026 is not necessary.


11.      This Application is allowed on the following terms:-


         a)    In the event of arrest of the Applicant in Crime No. 178 of



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         2026, registered with Kadegaon Police Station, District Sangli,
         the Applicant shall be released on bail on furnishing a P.R. Bond
         in the sum of Rs.50,000/- (Rupees Fifty Thousand Only) with
         one or two sureties in the like amount to the satisfaction of the
         Investigating Officer, ACB, Sangli investigating Crime No. 178 of
         2026

         b)     The Applicant shall appear and report before the
         Investigating Officer, ACB, Sangli, on 30 th September 2026, 1st
         October 2026, 5th October 2026 and on 6 th October 2026 from
         11.00 a.m. to 02.00 p.m. and thereafter, as and when required
         by the Investigating Officer, ACB, Sangli. The Applicant shall
         cooperate with the investigation in Crime No. 178 of 2026.

         c)     The Applicant shall submit himself to the Investigating
         Officer, ACB, Sangli, for recording his voice sample.

         d)     The Applicant shall surrender his mobile phone to the
         Investigating Officer, ACB, Sangli on 30th September 2026.

         e) The Applicant shall not, directly or indirectly, make any
         inducement, threat or promise to any person acquainted with the
         facts of the case to dissuade that person from disclosing those
         facts to the Court or any police officer.

         f)     The Applicant shall not tamper with the evidence in any
         manner.

         g)     The Applicant shall provide the Investigating Officer with
         his residential address along with proof thereof, his contact
         number and email address, and shall inform the Investigating



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         Officer of any changes to this information from time to time.

12.      Anticipatory Bail Application No.577 of 2026 is disposed.




                                              [ ASHWIN D. BHOBE, J. ]




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