Bombay High Court
GOVIND RAMNATH JADHAVversusSTATE OF MAHARASHTRA
- Decided
- Disposal
- Disposed Off
- Bench
- SHIVKUMAR DIGE
Holding
The applicant is entitled to bail on the principle of parity, subject to a personal bond and standard conditions.
Summary
The applicant, Govind Ramnath Jadhav, sought regular bail for offences of murder, assault and related charges under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023. He had been in custody for over a year, had no prior criminal record, and the co‑accused in the same case had already been released on bail. The prosecution argued that the applicant might threaten witnesses if released. The Court considered the principle of parity, the applicant’s clean antecedents, and the fact that co‑accused were on bail, and concluded that bail could be granted with conditions. Accordingly, the Court ordered the applicant to be released on a Rs.30,000 personal bond with sureties and imposed standard conditions to prevent tampering with evidence or influencing witnesses.
Issues considered
- Whether bail should be granted to an accused charged with murder and assault after more than one year of custody.
- Whether the principle of parity with co‑accused released on bail warrants granting bail to the applicant.
- Whether the risk of witness intimidation outweighs the applicant’s right to bail.
Legislation cited
- Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 — s. 103(1), 3(5), 351(1), 352
Subjects
- bail
- parity principle
- murder
- assault
- witness tampering
- Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita
- criminal procedure
Judgment
10-BA-168-2026.doc
Shubhada S Kadam
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY
CRIMINAL APPELLATE JURISDICTION
BAIL APPLICATION NO. 168 OF 2026
Govind Ramnath Jadhav … Applicant/s
Versus
The State of Maharashtra … Respondent/s
_________________________________________________________________
Mr. Mihir N. Kasliwal i/b. Mr. Rahul Kasliwal, Advocate for the Applicant.
Mr. S. S. Pednekar, APP for Respondent-State.
ASI- A. K. Jadhav, Dindori Police Station, present.
_________________________________________________________________
CORAM : SHIVKUMAR DIGE, J.
DATE : 4th MARCH, 2026.
P.C. :
1. By this application, the applicant is seeking regular bail in
Crime No. 72 of 2025 registered with Dindori Police Station, District -
Nashik, for the offences punishable under Sections 103(1), 352, 351(1)
and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023.
2. It is prosecution’s case that on 21 st February 202, the applicant
and co-accused assaulted the deceased with wooden rod and murdered
him on the ground of old dispute.
3. It is contention of learned counsel for the applicant that the
Digitally
signed by
SHUBHADA applicant is behind bars for more than 1 year. He has no antecedents. The
SHUBHADA SHANKAR
SHANKAR KADAM
KADAM Date:
2026.03.06 co-accused, against whom similar allegations are made, have been released
11:08:02
+0530
Page 1 of 3
10-BA-168-2026.doc
Shubhada S Kadam
on bail, hence, the applicant is entitled to bail on the principle of parity.
Hence, requested to allow the application.
4. It is contention of learned APP that the applicant and
co-accused assaulted the deceased and murdered him. There are eye-
witnesses to the incident. If the applicant is released on bail, he may
threaten the prosecution witnesses and requested to reject the application.
5. I have heard both learned counsel, perused charge-sheet and
documents produced on record. The applicant is behind bars for more than
1 year. He has no antecedents. The co-accused, against whom similar
allegations are made, have been released on bail. Hence, the applicant is
entitled to bail on the principle of parity. Considering these facts, I pass
following order :
ORDER
(i) The applicant be enlarged on bail in Crime No. 72 of 2025
registered with Dindori Police Station, District – Nashik, on
executing P.R.Bond in the sum of Rs.30,000/- with one or two
sureties in the like amount.
(ii) The applicant shall attend the concerned police station as and
when required.
(iii) The applicant shall not tamper with the evidence or attempt to
influence or contact the complainant, witnesses or any person
concerned with the case.
Page 2 of 3
10-BA-168-2026.doc
Shubhada S Kadam
The application is allowed in the aforesaid terms and is
accordingly disposed of.
6. It is made clear that the above observations are made only for
the purpose of granting bail and the Trial Court shall decide the case on its
own merits in accordance with law and uninfluenced by the observations
made in this order.
7. All concerned to act on the authenticated copy of this order.
(SHIVKUMAR DIGE, J.)
Page 3 of 3
Checking your session…