Bombay High Court

Vasanthakumar Prabhakar GoudaversusThe State of Maharashtra and Anr.

Decided: 22 September 2026
Disposal: Disposed Off

Holding

The Court condoned the 63‑day delay in filing the appeal under Section 14‑A of the SC & ST Act.

Summary

The appellant, Vasanthakumar Prabhakar Gouda, filed a bail application which was rejected by the trial court. He subsequently filed a criminal appeal under Section 14‑A of the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, but the appeal was lodged 63 days after the order. The appellant sought condonation of this delay through an interim application. The Court examined whether the delay could be condoned under the provisions of the SC & ST Act and the principles of justice. It held that the 63‑day delay was excusable and granted condonation. Consequently, the appeal was listed for hearing on 6 October 2026 and the interim application was disposed of.

Issues considered

Whether a delay of 63 days in filing an appeal under Section 14‑A of the SC & ST Act can be condoned.

Legislation cited

Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act — s. 14-A

Subjects

bail
condonation of delay
Section 14-A
SC & ST Act
criminal appeal
interim application

Judgment

                                    1            26-APEAL(ST) 15263-26.doc



          IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY
                CRIMINAL APPELLATE JURISDICTION
              INTERIM APPLICATION NO.2680 OF 2026
                               IN
             CRIMINAL APPEAL (ST) NO.15263 OF 2026

Vasanthakumar Prabhakar Gouda                             … Appellant
     Vs.
State of Maharashtra & Anr.                               … Respondents

                               -----
Mr. Tanmay Kate iMr. Vipul Dushing for the Appellant/Applicant.
Mr. V.N. Sagare, APP for the Respondent/State.
Ms Kanchan Pawar, Appointed Advocate for Respondent No.2.
Ms Shriya (through VC) i/by. Asim Saroade for Respondent No.2.
API S.R. Karpe, Sinhagad Road Police Station is present.
                               -----

                                   CORAM : N.R. BORKAR, J.
                                   DATE  : 22.09.2026.
P.C. :


1.        Ms   Shriya,   learned    counsel   submits      that      she     has
instructions to appear on behalf of respondent No.2. In that view
of the matter, the order dated 18.9.2026 appointing Ms Kanchan
Pawar, Advocate from Legal Aid Panel, to represent respondent
No.2 is hereby recalled.


2.        The Registry shall accept her Vakalatnama on behalf the
respondent No.2.


3.        By this Interim Application, the applicant/appellant seeks
condonation of delay in filing the appeal under Section 14-A of
the Scheduled Caste and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of


     Dinesh                                                                  1 of 2
                                  2             26-APEAL(ST) 15263-26.doc



Atrocities) Act (for short “SC & ST Act”) against the order
rejecting bail application filed by the present appellant.


4.        For the reasons stated in the application, the delay of 63
days in filing the appeal is condoned.


5.        Criminal Appeal (St) No. 15263 of 2026 be listed on
06.10.2026.


6.        The Interim Application is disposed of accordingly.


                                           (N.R. BORKAR, J.)




     Dinesh                                                                 2 of 2

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