Abhishek Dashrath Pawar vs the State of… — Murder and Culpable Homicide | Bombay HC (2026)

Abhishek Dashrath Pawar vs the State of… — Murder and Culpable Homicide | Bombay HC (2026)

What the court decided

AI extract

Outcome

Applicant enlarged on bail in C.R. No. 677 of 2021 (Kondhwa Police Station, Pune) on executing a P.R. Bond of Rs. 30,000/- with one or two sureties in the like amount; conditions: to attend the concerned police station as and when required, and not to tamper with the evidence or attempt to influence or contact the complainant, witnesses or any person concerned with the case.

Issue for consideration

Whether the applicant, accused in C.R. No. 677 of 2021 (Kondhwa Police Station, Pune) for offences under Sections 302, 307, 143, 147, 148, 149 IPC, Section 4(25) Arms Act and Sections 37(1)(3) r/w 135 Bombay Police Act, is entitled to regular bail on the principle of parity, given that co-accused Laxman @ Sonu Shivaji Gajarmal was released on bail by this Court on the ground of long incarceration. +1 more

Court's answer

The applicant is entitled to be enlarged on bail in C.R. No. 677 of 2021 on the principle of parity, as the co-accused Laxman @ Sonu Shivaji Gajarmal was released on bail by this Court on the ground of long incarceration.

Key takeaways

The observations in the bail order are made only for the purpose of granting bail; the Trial Court shall decide the case on its own merits in accordance with law, uninfluenced by the observations made in this order.obiter¶30

Detailed headnote1 paragraphs

BAIL — Principle of parity — Regular bail granted to Abhishek Dashrath Pawar, accused in C.R. No. 677 of 2021 (Kondhwa Police Station, Pune) for offences under Sections 302, 307, 143, 147, 148, 149 IPC, Section 4(25) Arms Act and Sections 37(1)(3) r/w 135 Bombay Police Act — Co-accused Laxman @ Sonu Shivaji Gajarmal, having similar allegations, earlier released on bail by this Court (Ashwin D. Bhobe, J.) on the ground of long incarceration — Applicant held entitled to bail on parity despite APP's contention that his role differed and he actively participated — Released on P.R. Bond of Rs. 30,000/- with one or two sureties in like amount — Conditions: attendance at concerned police station as and when required; no tampering with evidence or influencing/contacting complainant or witnesses — Observations confined to bail purposes; Trial Court to decide case on its own merits uninfluenced thereby (Shivkumar Dige, J.; 8 April 2026).

18-BA-269-2026 (CR).doc

S.S.Kilaje

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY CRIMINAL APPELLATE JURISDICTION BAIL APPLICATION NO. 269 OF 2026

Abhishek Dashrath Pawar

… Applicant

Versus

The State of Maharashtra … Respondent

Digitally signed SONALI by SONALISATISH KILAJE SATISH Date:2026.04.10 KILAJE 11:13:15+0700

Mr. Satyavrat Joshi i/b Mr. Samay Pawar, Advocate for the Applicant. Ms. Kranti T. Hivrale, APP for the Respondent-State.

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

P.C. :

By this application, the Applicant is seeking regular bail in C.R.No. 677 of 2021 registered with Kondhwa Police Station, Pune, for the offences punishable under Sections 302, 307, 143, 147, 148, 149 of Indian Penal Code, 1860 (for short “IPC”) and under Section 4(25) of Arms Act and under Sections 37(1)(3) r/w 135 of Bombay Police Act.

It is prosecution’s case that on 12.08.2021, applicant and coaccused murdered the deceased on the ground of old dispute.

It is contention of learned counsel for the applicant that the coaccused Laxman @ Sonu Shivaji Gajarmal having similar allegations has been released on bail by this Court (Coram :Ashwin D. Bhobe, J.) on ground of long incarceration. Hence, applicant is entitled for bail on

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S.S.Kilaje

principle of parity and requested to allow the application.

It is contention of learned APP that the role attributed to the coaccused and applicant are different. The applicant actively participated in the crime. If the applicant is released on bail, he may abscond or threaten prosecution witnesses. Hence, requested to reject the application.

I have heard both the learned counsel. Perused chargesheet and documents produced on record. The co-accused Laxman @ Sonu Shivaji Gajarmal has been released on bail by this Court on the ground of long incarceration. Hence, applicant is entitled for bail on principle of parity and I pass following order.

ORDER

i. The applicant be enlarged on bail in C.R.No. 677 of 2021 registered with Kondhwa Police Station, Pune, on executing P.R.Bond of Rs. 30,000/- on furnishing one or two sureties in the like amount.

ii. The applicant shall attend the concerned police station as and when required.

iii. The applicant shall not tamper with the evidence or attempt to influence or contact the complainant, witnesses or any person concerned with the case.

The application is allowed in the aforesaid terms and is

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S.S.Kilaje

accordingly disposed of. All pending applications, if any, disposed of.

It is made clear that the above observations are made only for the purpose of granting bail and the Trial Court shall decide the case on its own merits in accordance with law and uninfluenced by the observations made in this order.

All concerned to act on the authenticated copy of this order.

(SHIVKUMAR DIGE, J.)

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