Balaji Dinkar Patil v. State of Maharashtra
Case brief
What is this about?
Anticipatory bail, interim protection: Bombay HC (R.N. Laddha, J.), 1 July 2025, AB Nos. 1088, 1231, 1396 of 2025 (Balaji Dinkar Patil, Rajendra Vitthal Jadhav, Harishchandra Kunnu Rathod v. State of Maharashtra). Complaint by Vinod Ramesh Chavan to Lokayukt/Divisional Commissioner, Pune triggered Zilla Parishad, Solapur enquiries; BDO reports dated 4 September 2024 and 23 September 2024 found no misappropriation of government funds. Applicants' contentions: enquiry lacked authority under Grampanchayat Act, procedure not mandatory-compliant, allegations vague, personal rivalry, cooperation with investigation offered. APP sought time; matter stood over to 30 July 2025 with direction that no coercive action be taken until then. No precedent cases discussed; no quantum.
What did the court decide?
Interim protection: no coercive action against the applicants in the present crime until the next date; applications stood over to 30 July 2025 for further consideration after the learned APP takes instructions.