Akshay Ananda Jadhav vs State of Maharashtra — Murder and Culpable Homicide | Bombay HC (2026)

Akshay Ananda Jadhav vs State of Maharashtra — Murder and Culpable Homicide | Bombay HC (2026)

What the court decided

AI extract

Outcome

Release on regular bail in Crime No.295 of 2023 (Hadapsar Police Station, Pune) on PR bond of Rs.25,000/- with one or two solvent sureties in the like amount, subject to conditions of not tampering with evidence or influencing prosecution witnesses and attending the concerned Police Station as required.

Issue for consideration

Whether the Applicant, in custody for more than three years in Crime No.295 of 2023 (Section 302 IPC, alleged murder of his wife by strangulation) with no progress in the trial, should be released on regular bail.

Court's answer

Regular bail granted to the Applicant in Crime No.295 of 2023 registered with Hadapsar Police Station, Pune, on furnishing a PR bond of Rs.25,000/- with one or two solvent sureties in the like amount.

Ratio / Principle

Bail granted because the Applicant has been behind bars for more than three years, has no antecedents, and there is no progress in the trial, which may take time to conclude.

Key takeaways

Bail is subject to conditions: the Applicant shall not tamper with the evidence and/or influence the prosecution witnesses, and shall attend the concerned Police Station as and when required.ratio¶ORDER (ii)
The Trial Court shall decide the case on its own merits and in accordance with law, uninfluenced by the observations made in this order.ratio¶ORDER (iii)

Detailed headnote1 paragraphs

Criminal Bail Application — offence under Section 302 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860 — alleged murder of wife by strangulation (Crime No.295 of 2023, Hadapsar Police Station, Pune) — Applicant in custody for more than three years, no antecedents, no progress in trial and trial likely to take time — regular bail granted on PR bond of Rs.25,000/- with one or two solvent sureties in the like amount — conditions: not to tamper with evidence or influence prosecution witnesses; to attend concerned Police Station as and when required — Trial Court to decide case on its own merits, uninfluenced by observations in the bail order.

16-BA-1286-2025.doc

N.S.Kamble

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY CRIMINAL APPELLATE JURISDICTION

CRIMINAL BAIL APPLICATION NO. 1286 OF 2025

Akshay Ananda Jadhav … Applicant

Versus

State Of Maharashtra … Respondent

Digitally signed NILAM by NILAM SANTOSH SANTOSHKAMBLE KAMBLE Date: 2026.02.11 11:50:43 +0530

Mr.Kuldeep Nikam, for the Applicant. Ms.Sangeeta D. Shinde, APP for Respondent-State.

CORAM : SHIVKUMAR DIGE, J. DATE : 9^th FEBRUARY 2026

P.C. :

. By this Application, the Applicant is seeking regular bail in

Crime No.295 of 2023 registered with Hadapsar Police Station, Pune for

the offences punishable under Section 302 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860 (‘IPC’ for short).

It is prosecution’s case that the Applicant murdered his wife by strangulating her when she was residing with him.

It is contention of learned counsel for the Applicant that the Applicant is behind bars for more than three years. There is no progress in the trial. The incident occurred suddenly. After the incident, Applicant also

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16-BA-1286-2025.doc

N.S.Kamble

tried to kill himself by consuming poison. The Applicant has no antecedents and requested to allow the Application.

It is contention of learned APP that the deceased was residing with the Applicant. He informed the witness that he killed the deceased. When the witness went to the Applicant’s room, the Applicant opened door and she saw the deceased laying on bed and Applicant had consumed poison. There is direct evidence. If the Applicant released on bail, he may abscond or threaten prosecution witnesses, and requested to reject the Application.

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

The Applicant is behind bars for more than three years. The

Applicant has no antecedents. There is no progress in trial. It may take time to conclude the trial.

Considering these facts, I pass following order.

ORDER

(i) The Applicant-Akshay Ananda Jadhav be released on bail in Crime No.295 of 2023 registered with Hadapsar Police Station, Pune, on furnishing PR bond of Rs.25,000/- with one or two solvent sureties in the like amount.

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16-BA-1286-2025.doc

N.S.Kamble

(ii) The Applicant shall not tamper with the evidence and/or influence the prosecution witnesses.

(iii) The Trial Court shall decide the case on its own merits and in accordance with law, uninfluenced by the observations made in this order.

(iv) The Applicant shall attend the concerned Police Station as and when required.

(v) Application is allowed in the aforesaid terms.

(SHIVKUMAR DIGE, J.)

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