Bombay High Court
SURAJ AANAND JADHAVversusTHE STATE OF MAHARASHTRA
- Disposal
- Allowed
Holding
The Court suspended the two‑year imprisonment sentence and ordered the applicant to execute a personal bond of Rs.25,000 with sureties pending the outcome of the appeal.
Summary
The applicant, Suraj Aanand Jadhav, was convicted by the Sessions Court, Sindhudurg, under IPC sections 332, 352, 353 and 504 and sentenced to two years' rigorous imprisonment. The trial court had earlier suspended the sentence on 16th April 2026, a suspension that was continued by the High Court on 15th June 2026. The applicant filed Interim Application No. 271 of 2026 seeking further suspension of the sentence pending Criminal Appeal No. 100 of 2026. The State opposed the application, arguing that the conviction was the result of a full‑fledged trial. The High Court, after noting that the appeal raised substantial questions of law and fact, allowed the interim application, ordered the sentence to remain suspended, directed the applicant to execute a personal bond of Rs.25,000 with sureties, and required him to appear regularly and furnish his residential details to the investigating officer.
Issues considered
- Whether the sentence imposed on the applicant should be suspended pending the adjudication of Criminal Appeal No. 100 of 2026
- Whether the applicant is entitled to be released on a personal bond in lieu of imprisonment
Legislation cited
- Indian Penal Code, 1860 — s. 332, 352, 353, 504
Subjects
- criminal appeal
- suspension of sentence
- interim application
- personal bond
- IPC offences
- high court
Judgment
937 - CRI IA - 271 - 2026.docx
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY
CIRCUIT BENCH AT KOLHAPUR
VAIBHAV
CRIMINAL APPELLATE JURISDICTION
RAMESH
JADHAV
Digitally signed by
VAIBHAV RAMESH
JADHAV
Date: 2026.09.10
10:08:15 +0530 CRIMINAL INTERIM APPLICATION NO. 271 OF 2026
IN
CRIMINAL APPEAL NO. 100 OF 2026
Suraj Aanand Jadhav … Applicant
V/s.
The State of Maharashtra & Anr. … Respondents
Mr. Kshitij Samant for the Applicant (Appointed Advocate).
Dr. A. A. Takalkar, APP for the State.
CORAM : ASHWIN D. BHOBE, J.
DATED : SEPTEMBER 9, 2026
P.C.:
1. Heard Mr. Kshitij Samant, learned Advocate for the Applicant,
and Dr. A. A. Takalkar, learned APP for the State.
2. On 15th June 2026, notice was issued to the Respondents.
3. Clause No. 3 of the Office Note dated 3rd September 2026 reads
thus:
“3) Notice issued to Respondent No.2 and duly served.”
4. The name of Respondent No. 2, Sudhir Pilaji Dhamankar, was
called out. Neither Respondent No. 2 is present in person nor does any
Advocate appear for Respondent No. 2.
VRJ 1
937 - CRI IA - 271 - 2026.docx
5. By the present Application, the Applicant, who has been
convicted under Sections 332, 352, 353 and 504 of the Indian Penal
Code, has been sentenced to suffer rigorous imprisonment for a period
of two years by the judgment and order dated 17th March 2026 passed
by the Sessions Court, Sindhudurg at Oros, in Sessions Case No. 11 of
2024.
6. Mr. Kshitij Samant, learned Advocate for the Applicant, states
that, upon conviction, the Trial Court, vide order dated 16th April 2026,
had suspended the sentence. The said order was continued by this
Court vide order dated 15th June 2026.
7. Dr. A. A. Takalkar, learned APP for the State, submits that the
Applicant stands convicted after a full-fledged trial and, therefore,
opposes the present Application.
8. Perused the record.
9. Criminal Appeal No. 100 of 2026 was admitted on 15th June
2026. Prima facie, a perusal of the impugned judgment in the context of
the grounds raised by the Applicant in the memo of the Appeal indicates
that the Applicant has a fair chance of succeeding on merits. The
sentence imposed on the Applicant is two years.
10. In view of the above, Interim Application No. 271 of 2026 is
allowed on the following terms:
VRJ 2
937 - CRI IA - 271 - 2026.docx
11. During the pendency of Criminal Appeal No. 100 of 2026, the
sentence of imprisonment imposed vide judgment and order dated 17th
March 2026 passed by the Sessions Court, Sindhudurg at Oros, in
Sessions Case No. 11 of 2024 is suspended, and the Applicant is
directed to execute a P.R. bond in the sum of Rs.25,000/-, with one or
more sureties in the like amount.
12. The Applicant shall regularly appear before this Court as and
when Criminal Appeal No. 100 of 2026 is listed on the cause list.
13. The Applicant shall, within seven (7) days from today, provide to
the Investigating Officer, Kudal Police Station, Sindhudurg, his
residential address along with proof thereof and his contact numbers,
and shall inform the Investigating Officer of any change therein from
time to time.
14. Interim Application No. 271 of 2026 is disposed of.
(ASHWIN D. BHOBE, J.)
VRJ 3
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