Imam Hussain Kokane v. the State of Maharashtra
Case brief
What is this about?
Bail appeal allowed - Bombay High Court Kolhapur Circuit Bench (Sachin S. Deshmukh J., 06/03/2026) against rejection of bail by Sessions Judge, Pandharpur in C.R. No. 64/2025, Mangalwedha Police Station; offences under Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita 2023 Sections 351(2), 351(3), 352 r/w 3(5) and SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act 1989 Sections 3(1)(r) and 3(1)(s); caste-based abuse FIR (incident 23/01/2025, FIR 03/02/2025, APMC Market) held prima facie actuated with ulterior motive; delay in lodging FIR unexplained; nothing to be recovered from applicant; age and ailments of applicant weighed; release on P.R. bond Rs. 50,000 with one or two local solvent sureties; conditions on witness pressure/evidence tampering, trial attendance, police-station reporting and Aadhar/PAN disclosure; respondent no. 2 represented by court-appointed counsel entitled to fees as per Rules.
What did the court decide?
In the event of arrest of the appellant in connection with C.R. No. 64/2025 registered with Mangalwedha Police Station, enlargement on bail on furnishing a P.R. bond of Rs. 50,000/- (Rs. Fifty Thousand) with one or two local solvent sureties in the like amount, subject to conditions: (i) not to pressurize prosecution witnesses or tamper with prosecution evidence; (ii) attendance at trial on each and every date unless exempted by the trial Court; (iii) attendance at the concerned police station as and when called in writing; (iv) submission of Aadhar and Pan Cards, detailed address, phone numbers and two near relatives to the Investigating Officer; (v) Prosecution free to move the Court for cancellation of bail on breach of any condition. Observations confined to this application and the trial Court not to be influenced by them; professional fees payable to counsel for respondent no. 2 as per Rules.