Bombay High Court

RAATAN CHABURAO JADHAVversusTHE STATE OF MAHARASHTRA

Decided: 24 March 2026
Disposal: Disposed Off
Bench: SHIVKUMAR DIGE

Holding

Bail is granted to the applicant on furnishing a Rs 25,000 bond with sureties and subject to conditions of non‑tampering with evidence and non‑influence of witnesses.

Summary

Ratan Chaburao Jadhav applied for regular bail in a case (Crime No. 132 of 2024) alleging theft of gold ornaments from an ICICI Finance locker, charged under Sections 380, 457 r/w 34 of the IPC. He had been in custody for over two years with no significant progress in the trial, while co‑accused in the same case had been released on bail. The State argued that the applicant had antecedents and might tamper with evidence or intimidate witnesses if released. The Court noted the prolonged detention, lack of trial progress, and the bail granted to co‑accused, and imposed a bail bond of Rs 25,000 with sureties, along with conditions not to tamper with evidence or influence witnesses. The bail application was allowed, directing the trial court to continue the trial independently of this order.

Issues considered

Whether bail should be granted to the accused under Sections 380, 457 IPC considering the delay in trial, the nature of the offence, and alleged antecedents

Legislation cited

Indian Penal Code, 1860 — s. 34, 380, 457

Subjects

bail
theft
IPC
delay in trial
surety
witness tampering
criminal procedure

Judgment

                                                                         13-BA-152-2026 (CR).doc


                   TIKAM


                            IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY
                                   CRIMINAL APPELLATE JURISDICTION

                                       BAIL APPLICATION NO. 152 OF 2026

                   Raatan Chaburao Jadhav                          ...Applicant
                   VERSUS
VAISHALI           The State Of Maharashtra                        ...Respondent
ANIL
TIKAM              _________________________________________________________________

Digitally signed
by VAISHALI
                   Mr. Akshay Bankapur, Advocate for Applicant.
ANIL TIKAM
Date:              Mr. B.B. Kulkarni, APP for Respondent-State.
2026.03.27
13:03:21 +0530     API Hemant S. Todkar, Sarkarwada Police Station, Dist. Nashik present.
                   _________________________________________________________________

                                                        CORAM      :   SHIVKUMAR DIGE, J.
                                                        DATE       :   24th MARCH, 2026.
                   P.C. :

                   1.           Heard learned counsel for the Applicant and learned APP for

                   the State.

                   2.           By this Application, the Applicant is seeking regular bail in

                   Crime No. 132 of 2024 registered with Sarkarwada Police Station, District

                   Nashik for the offences punishable under Sections 380, 457 r/w 34 of the

                   Indian Penal Code, 1860 (for short 'IPC').

                   2.           It is prosecution’s case that on 04/05/2024, Applicant and co-

                   accused stolen the gold ornaments of the customers, kept in locker of

                   ICICI Finance Company at Old Gangapur Naka, Nashik.

                   3.           It is contention of learned counsel for the Applicant that

                   Applicant is behind bars for more than two years. There is no progress in

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TIKAM


the trial. It will take time to conclude the trial. The co-accused have been

released on bail and requested to allow the application.

4.         It is contention of learned APP that Applicant has antecedents.

The gold ornaments were stolen from the locker, is recovered at the

instance of the Applicant. If Applicant is released on bail, he may abscond

or threaten the prosecution witnesses and requested to reject the

application.

5.         I have heard both learned counsel, perused chargesheet,

documents produced on record.

6.         Applicant is behind bars almost two years. There is no progress

in the trial. It may take time to conclude the trial. The co-accused, having

similar allegations, has been released on bail.

7.         Considering these facts, I pass the following order

(i)        The Applicant- Ratan Chaburao Jadhav be released on bail in

Crime No. 132 of 2024 registered with Sarkarwada Police Station, District

Nashik, on furnishing PR bond of Rs.25,000/- with one or two solvent

sureties in the like amount.

(ii)       The Applicant shall not tamper with the evidence and/or

influence the prosecution witnesses.

(iii)      The Trial Court shall decide the case on its own merits and in

accordance with law, uninfluenced by the observations made in this order.


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TIKAM


(iv)       The Applicant shall attend the concerned police station as and

when called and cooperate with the investigating officer.

(v)        Bail Application is allowed in the aforesaid terms.



                                                    (SHIVKUMAR DIGE, J.)




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