Ashok Alias Don Namdeo Gangavane vs the State of Maharashtra — Bombay HC (2026) — LawSathi Research

Ashok Alias Don Namdeo Gangavane vs the State of Maharashtra — Bombay HC (2026) — LawSathi Research

What the court decided

AI extract

Outcome

Release on bail in Crime No. 579/2022 (Vijapur Naka Police Station, Dist. Solapur) on a personal bond of Rs. 15,000/- with one surety in the like amount, subject to conditions that the applicant shall not enter Solapur district except for attending the trial and shall not tamper with prosecution evidence.

Issue for consideration

Whether the applicant, against whom there is prima facie evidence and 14 similar registered offences, should be released on bail in Crime No. 579/2022 (S.392 r/w 34 IPC; Ss.3(1)(ii), 3(2), 3(4) MCOCA), given that the trial has commenced with only two of 31 witnesses examined and is unlikely to conclude soon.

Court's answer

Despite prima facie evidence of the alleged offence and 14 registered offences, the applicant deserves to be released on bail (subject to conditions) because the trial has commenced, only two of 31 prosecution witnesses have been examined, and the trial is not likely to conclude in the near future.

Ratio / Principle

The applicant is to be released on bail in Crime No. 579/2022 on executing a Personal Bond of Rs. 15,000/- with one surety in the like amount.

Key takeaways

Bail is subject to conditions: the applicant shall not enter Solapur district except for attending the trial, and shall not tamper with the prosecution evidence.ratio¶23

Detailed headnote1 paragraphs

Bombay High Court (Kolhapur Circuit Bench), Nitin B. Suryawanshi, J., allowed Bail Application No. 3724 of 2025 by Ashok Alias Don Namdeo Gangavane seeking bail in Crime No. 579/2022 (Vijapur Naka Police Station, Dist. Solapur) for offences under Section 392 read with 34 IPC and Sections 3(1)(ii), 3(2) and 3(4) of the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act, 1999. Though the prosecution alleged the applicant headed a chain-snatching gang, there was prima facie evidence against him and 14 similar offences stood registered, the Court granted bail because the trial had commenced with only two of 31 prosecution witnesses examined and was not likely to conclude in the near future. Bail was ordered on a Personal Bond of Rs. 15,000/- with one surety in the like amount, on conditions that the applicant shall not enter Solapur district except for attending the trial and shall not tamper with prosecution evidence.

73-BA-3724-2025

{1}

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE OF BOMBAY CIRCUIT BENCH AT KOLHAPUR CRIMINAL APPELLATE JURISDICTION

BAIL APPLICATION NO. 3724 OF 2025

Ashok Alias Don Namdeo Gangavane ...Applicant

Versus

The State of Maharashtra

...Respondent

Mr. Shankar Katkar a/w Mr. Ruturaj Kadam, Advocate for the applicant Dr. A.A. Takalkar, APP for State

CORAM : NITIN B. SURYAWANSHI, J.

DATE : 13^th JANUARY, 2026

ORDER :

Applicant seeks bail in Crime No. 579/2022 registered with Vijapur Naka Police Station, Dist. Solapur for offences punishable under Section 392 read with 34 of Indian Penal Code and Section 3(1) (ii), 3(2) and 3(4) of the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act, 1999.

Prosecution case in short is that, applicant is involved in chain snatching and the same is being done by the applicant by forming a gang and he is head of the gang. There are 14 offences of similar nature registered against the applicant. The chain snatched by the applicant is recovered from the applicant and eye witnesses have

identified the same.

Bhagyawant Punde

{2}

73-BA-3724-2025

Heard learned advocate for the applicant and learned APP for the State. Perused the investigation papers.

Though, there is prima facie evidence against the applicant of commission of alleged offence and there are 14 offences registered against the applicant, taking into consideration the fact the trial has commenced and two witnesses are examined by the prosecution, out of 31 witnesses, the trial is not likely to conclude in near future, the applicant deserves to be released on bail subject to certain conditions.

In the result, application is allowed.

Applicant- Ashok Alias Don Namdeo Gangavane be released on bail in Crime No. 579/2022 registered with Vijapur Naka Police Station, Dist. Solapur for offences punishable under Section 392 read with 34 of Indian Penal Code and Section 3(1)(ii), 3(2) and 3(4) of the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act, 1999, on executing Personal Bond of Rs. 15,000/- with one surety in the like amount.

The applicant shall not enter Solapur district except for attending the trial. The applicant shall not tamper the prosecution evidence.

(NITIN B. SURYAWANSHI, J.)

Bhagyawant Punde