Pravin Mahadev Helkar v. State of Maharashtra
Case brief
What is this about?
Bombay High Court, Criminal Bail Application No. 1349 of 2024, Pravin Mahadev Helkar v. State of Maharashtra, coram Milind N. Jadhav, J., order dated 19.03.2025. Bail under S.439 CrPC sought in FIR No.667/2019, Borivali Police Station (Ss.363, 394, 34, 364(A) IPC; Ss.3(1)(ii), 3(2), 3(4), 3(5) MCOCA). Applicant arraigned as Accused No.1, incarcerated over 4 years 10 months; prima facie observed as gang leader with 19 antecedents including present offence (earlier order noted 35; applicant claimed 14 per charge-sheet). Trial commenced, 11 of probable 57 witnesses examined; trial not likely to conclude in near foreseeable future. Reply to 04.02.2025 order complied with. Matter adjourned to 01.04.2025 ('Supplementary Board') at APP R.M. Pethe's request; bail neither granted nor refused.
What did the court decide?
Despite the prima facie observation that the Applicant is the gang leader having 19 antecedents including the present offence, the Court proceeded with the Application because of the long incarceration of the Applicant pending trial.