Bombay High Court
AKASH BHASKAR DARADEversusTHE STATE OF MAHARASHTRA
- Decided
- Disposal
- Disposed Off
- Bench
- SHIVKUMAR DIGE
Holding
The Court granted bail to the accused on condition of a personal bond and sureties, subject to non‑tampering and non‑influence conditions.
Summary
The applicant, Akash Bhaskar Darade, was charged in Crime No.09 of 2023 for kidnapping a minor and demanding ransom, alleged to have committed offences under IPC sections 363, 364A, 387 read with 34. He is an engineering student with no prior record but has been in custody for over three years with no progress in the trial. The prosecution argued that he might abscond or intimidate the informant and witnesses if released. The defence highlighted his clean antecedents, prolonged detention, and the lack of trial progress, seeking regular bail. The High Court, after hearing both sides, considered the seriousness of the offences, the risk of tampering, and the delay, and ordered his release on bail upon furnishing a Rs.25,000 personal bond with sureties, subject to conditions not to tamper with evidence or influence witnesses. The trial court was directed to continue the trial on its merits.
Issues considered
- Whether bail should be granted in a kidnapping for ransom case despite the seriousness of the offences
- Whether the prolonged pre‑trial detention and lack of trial progress justify bail
- Whether there is a risk of the accused absconding or tampering with witnesses
Legislation cited
- Indian Penal Code, 1860 — s. 34, 363, 364A, 387
Subjects
- bail
- kidnapping for ransom
- IPC
- criminal procedure
- trial delay
- surety
- tampering with evidence
Judgment
24-BA-3037-2025.doc
N.S.Kamble
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY
CRIMINAL APPELLATE JURISDICTION
CRIMINAL BAIL APPLICATION NO. 3037 OF 2025
Akash Bhaskar Darade … Applicant
Versus
The State of Maharashtra … Respondent
Digitally signed
NILAM by NILAM
SANTOSH
SANTOSH
KAMBLE ________________________________________________________
KAMBLE Date: 2026.01.16
15:35:03 +0530
Ms.Sana Raees Khan a/w Mr.Taraq Sayed, Ms.Neha Balani, for the
Applicant
Ms.R.D. Humane, APP for Respondent-State.
Mr.Ankush V., PSI, Sinnar Police Station, Nashik
________________________________________________________
CORAM : SHIVKUMAR DIGE, J.
DATE : 13th JANUARY, 2026
P.C. :
. By this Application, Applicant is seeking regular bail in
Crime No.09 of 2023 registered with Sinnar Police Station, Nashik for
the offences punishable under Sections 363, 364(A), 387 read with
Section 34 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860 (‘IPC’ for short)
2. It is prosecution’s case that, on 5th January 2023, the
Applicant and co-accused kidnapped minor son of the First Informant
and demanded ransom from First Informant.
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24-BA-3037-2025.doc
N.S.Kamble
3. It is contention of learned counsel for the Applicant that, the
Applicant is an Engineering student. He is behind bar for more than
three years. There is no progress in trial. The Applicant has no
antecedent, and requested to allow the Application.
4. It is contention of learned APP that, the co-accused and the
Applicant had kidnapped the minor son of the First Informant for
ransom. If Applicant released on bail, he may abscond or threaten the
First Informant and prosecution witnesses, and requested to reject the
Application.
5. I have heard both learned counsel. Perused charge-sheet and
documents produced on record.
6. The Applicant is an Engineering student. He has no
antecedent. He is behind bar for more than three years. There is no
progress in Trial. It may take time to conclude the trial.
7. Considering these facts, I pass following order.
ORDER
(i) The Applicant-Akash Bhaskar Darade be released
on bail in Crime No.09 of 2023 registered with Sinnar
Police Station, Nashik, on furnishing PR bond of
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24-BA-3037-2025.doc
N.S.Kamble
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.
(iv) Application is allowed in the aforesaid terms.
(SHIVKUMAR DIGE, J.)
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