Sanjay Narayan Sapdhare v. the State of Maharashtra
Case brief
What is this about?
Neutral citation 2025:BHC-AUG:4877; Anticipatory Bail Application No.128 of 2025; Sanjay Narayan Sapdhare v. State of Maharashtra; Bombay High Court, Aurangabad Bench; Arun R. Pedneker, J.; decided 20.02.2025; FIR No.1153/2024, M.I.D.C. Waluj Police Station, Ch. Sambhajinagar; offences under s.59 Food and Safety Act 2006 and ss.123, 223, 274, 275, 3(5) Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita 2023; doubt re applicability of s.328 IPC [s.123 BNS] in tobacco/gutkha seizure cases; other offences bailable; interim protection of 05.02.2025 confirmed; conditions - fortnightly police attendance for four months, no tampering/influence, co-operation with investigation; relies on Gaurav Jayantbhai Hapani (ABA 3406/2022) and Eknath Bhalchandra Patil (SLP(Cri.) 8698/2023); application allowed.
What did the court decide?
Pre-arrest protection confirmed: interim protection granted on 05.02.2025 confirmed on conditions - (i) attendance at the police station once a fortnight for four months; (ii) no tampering with evidence and no influence on informant/witnesses; (iii) co-operation with investigation and trial; liable to cancellation on breach.