Nitin Kisan Mane vs State of Maharashtra — Bombay HC (2026) — LawSathi Research

Nitin Kisan Mane vs State of Maharashtra — Bombay HC (2026) — LawSathi Research

What the court decided

AI extract

Outcome

Anticipatory bail granted: interim order dated 30th October 2024 made absolute, subject to conditions that the Applicant shall continue to co-operate with the Investigating Agency as and when required and shall not tamper with the prosecution evidence/witnesses; Application disposed of.

Issue for consideration

Whether anticipatory bail should be granted to the Applicant apprehending arrest in Crime No. 442 of 2024 registered with Dighi Police Station, Pune, for offences under Sections 3, 7, 25 and 35 of the Arms Act and Section 37(1)(135) of the Maharashtra Police Act. +1 more

Court's answer

Except the statement of Shubham Saste, there is no other evidence against the Applicant; the Applicant has been on interim relief for two years, has cooperated with the investigation, and the investigation is completed.

Ratio / Principle

Considering these facts, the custodial interrogation of the Applicant is not required.

Key takeaways

The anticipatory bail Application is allowed; the interim order dated 30th October 2024 is made absolute subject to the conditions that the Applicant shall continue to co-operate with the Investigating Agency as and when required and shall not tamper with the prosecution evidence/witnesses; the Application is disposed of.ratio¶¶28

Detailed headnote1 paragraphs

Bombay High Court (Criminal Appellate Jurisdiction), Criminal Anticipatory Bail Application No. 3031 of 2024 — Nitin Kisan Mane v. State Of Maharashtra — decided 8 June 2026 by Shivkumar Dige, J. The Applicant apprehended arrest in Crime No. 442 of 2024 (Dighi Police Station, Pune) for offences under Sections 3, 7, 25 and 35 of the Arms Act and Section 37(1)(135) of the Maharashtra Police Act. Prosecution case: witness Shubham Saste found a bag in the dickey of the Applicant's Activa scooter containing live cartridges together with a leave and license document registered in the name of the Applicant's wife; the APP contended the cartridges belonged to the ammunition factory at Khadki where the Applicant was employed along with other accused, and sought custodial interrogation. Counsel for the Applicant contended that, except the statement of witness Shubham Saste, nothing in the charge-sheet showed the Applicant's involvement. The court found the Applicant had been on interim relief for two years, had cooperated, the investigation was completed, and no evidence existed beyond Shubham Saste's statement; held custodial interrogation not required; allowed the Application, made absolute the interim order dated 30th October 2024 subject to continued cooperation with the Investigating Agency and non-tampering with prosecution evidence/witnesses, and disposed of the Application.

14-ABA-3031-2024-Corrected.doc

N.S.Kamble

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY CRIMINAL APPELLATE JURISDICTION

CRIMINAL ANTICIPATORY BAIL APPLICATION NO. 3031 OF 2024

Digitally signed NILAM by NILAM SANTOSH SANTOSHKAMBLE KAMBLE Date: 2026.06.12 11:02:47 +0530

...Applicant

Nitin Kisan Mane ...Applicant VERSUS State Of Maharashtra ...Respondent

Ms.Surbhi S. Agarwal, for the Applicant. Mr.P.P. Jahdav, APP for Respondent-State. Mr.Ganesh Musle, PSI, Dighi Police Station.

CORAM : SHIVKUMAR DIGE, J. DATE : 8^th JUNE 2026

P.C. :

. The Applicant is apprehending arrest, in connection with

investigation of Crime No.442 of 2024 registered with Dighi Police Station, Pune, for the offences punishable under Sections 3,7, 25 and 35 of the Arms Act and under Section 37(1)(135) of the Maharashtra

Police Act.

It is prosecution’s case that, witness Shubham Saste found one bag in the dickey of activa scooter of the Applicant and in the said bag, live cartridges were found along with one leave and license document registered in the name of the wife of the Applicant.

This order is corrected as per speaking to the minutes of order dated 10^th June 2026 Page 1 of 3

14-ABA-3031-2024-Corrected.doc

N.S.Kamble

It is contention of learned counsel for the Applicant that, except the statement of witness Shubham Saste, nothing is produced in charge-sheet to show the involvement of the Applicant in the crime. The Applicant is on interim relief for two years. He is co-operating in the investigation. The investigation is almost completed and requested to allow the Application.

It is contention of learned APP that live cartridges were found in the bag kept in the dickey of activa scooter belonging to the Applicant. There is no reason for witness Shubham to depose against the Applicant. Live cartridges belonged to the ammunition factory at Khadki, where the Applicant was employed along with other accused. The custodial interrogation of the Applicant is required and requested to reject the Application.

I have heard both learned counsel. Perused charge-sheet and documents produced on record.

The Applicant is on interim relief for two years. He has cooperated with the investigation. The investigation is completed. Except statement of Shubham Saste, there is no other evidence against the Applicant.

This order is corrected as per speaking to the minutes of order dated 10^th June 2026 Page 2 of 3

14-ABA-3031-2024-Corrected.doc

N.S.Kamble

Considering these facts his custodial interrogation is not

required and I pass following order.

ORDER

(i) The Application is allowed. (ii) The order dated 30^th October 2024 is made absolute subject to condition that the Applicant shall continue to co-operate with the Investigating Agency as and when required, the Applicant shall not tamper with the prosecution evidence/witnesses.

(iii) The Application is disposed of.

(SHIVKUMAR DIGE, J.)

This order is corrected as per speaking to the minutes of order dated 10^th June 2026 Page 3 of 3