Vikas Ramchandra Gaikwad vs State of Maharashtra — Murder and Culpable Homicide | Bombay HC (2026)

Vikas Ramchandra Gaikwad vs State of Maharashtra — Murder and Culpable Homicide | Bombay HC (2026)

What the court decided

AI extract

Outcome

Regular bail in Crime No.415 of 2023 (Khadki Police Station, Pune) on PR bond of Rs.25,000/- with one or two solvent sureties in the like amount; subject to conditions that the Applicant shall not tamper with evidence or influence prosecution witnesses and shall attend the concerned Police Station as and when required; Trial Court to decide the case on its own merits uninfluenced by the observations in this order.

Issue for consideration

Whether the Applicant, accused of murder (S.302 IPC, Crime No.415 of 2023, Khadki Police Station, Pune), should be released on regular bail.

Court's answer

Regular bail granted to the Applicant in Crime No.415 of 2023 registered with Khadki Police Station, Pune, on furnishing a PR bond of Rs.25,000/- with one or two solvent sureties in the like amount.

Ratio / Principle

Grounds for release as found by the Court: the incident arose out of a sudden quarrel; the Applicant had been in custody for more than two years and three months; he had no antecedents; and there was no progress in the trial, which may take time to conclude.

Key takeaways

Release made subject to conditions: the Applicant shall not tamper with the evidence and/or influence the prosecution witnesses; shall attend the concerned Police Station as and when required; and the Trial Court shall decide the case on its own merits and in accordance with law, uninfluenced by the observations in this order.ratio¶¶26

Detailed headnote1 paragraphs

Bail granted – Murder (S.302 IPC) – Crime No.415 of 2023, Khadki Police Station, Pune – Prosecution alleged stabbing of the deceased on 4 November 2023 over a dispute regarding sleeping space on footpath – Applicant in custody over two years and three months, no antecedents, no progress in trial – Court found incident arose out of a sudden quarrel – Regular bail granted on PR bond of Rs.25,000/- with one or two solvent sureties in like amount – Conditions: no tampering with evidence / influencing prosecution witnesses; attendance at concerned Police Station as required – Trial Court to decide on own merits uninfluenced by these observations (Shivkumar Dige, J.; 23 February 2026).

17-BA-203-2026.doc

N.S.Kamble

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY CRIMINAL APPELLATE JURISDICTION

CRIMINAL BAIL APPLICATION NO. 203 OF 2026

Vikas Ramchandra Gaikwad … Applicant

Versus

The State of Maharashtra … Respondent

Digitally signed NILAM by NILAM SANTOSH SANTOSHKAMBLE KAMBLE Date: 2026.02.25 11:31:27 +0530

Mr.Someshwar Pawale a/w Mr.Harsh Kashyap and Mr.Aniket Borude, for the Applicant. Mr.M.G. Patil, APP for Respondent-State.

CORAM : SHIVKUMAR DIGE, J. DATE : 23^rd FEBRUARY 2026

P.C. :

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

No.415 of 2023 registered with Khadki Police Station, Pune for the offence punishable under Section 302 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860 (‘IPC’ for short).

It is prosecution’s case that on 4^th November 2023, the Applicant stabbed the deceased to death over a dispute regarding sleeping space on footpath.

It is contention of learned counsel for the Applicant that incident occurred suddenly. The Applicant is behind bars for more than two years and

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17-BA-203-2026.doc

N.S.Kamble

three months. The Applicant has no antecedents. There is no progress in trial, and requested to allow the Application.

It is contention of learned APP that, the incident has been witnessed by eye witness. He has stated that the Applicant assaulted the deceased with knife on his stomach. The knife used in the crime is recovered at the instance of the Applicant. If the Applicant released on bail, he may abscond or threaten the prosecution witnesses, and requested to reject the Application.

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

It appears from record that the incident occurred out of the sudden quarrel. The Applicant is behind bars for more than two years and three months. 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-Vikas Ramchandra Gaikwad be released on bail in Crime No.415 of 2023 registered with Khadki Police Station, Pune, on furnishing PR bond of Rs.25,000/- with one or two solvent sureties in the like amount.

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

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N.S.Kamble

(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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