Akshay Dashrath Akolakar vs the State of Maharashtra — Bombay HC (2026) — LawSathi Research

Akshay Dashrath Akolakar vs the State of Maharashtra — Bombay HC (2026) — LawSathi Research

What the court decided

AI extract

Outcome

Regular bail in C.R.No. 301 of 2022 (Hadapsar Police Station, Pune) on P.R.Bond of Rs. 30,000/- with one or two sureties in the like amount; applicant to attend the concerned police station as and when required; applicant not to tamper with evidence or attempt to influence or contact the complainant, witnesses or any person concerned with the case.

Issue for consideration

Whether the Applicant, in custody for around four years in C.R.No. 301 of 2022 registered with Hadapsar Police Station, Pune, should be enlarged on regular bail.

Court's answer

Bail granted having regard to the applicant being behind bars for around four years and the evidence of the first informant and the injured having been recorded before the Trial Court with both declared hostile.

Ratio / Principle

The applicant is enlarged on bail in C.R.No. 301 of 2022 registered with Hadapsar Police Station, Pune, on executing a P.R.Bond of Rs. 30,000/- with one or two sureties in the like amount.

Key takeaways

The observations in the 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 and uninfluenced by these observations.obiter¶28

Detailed headnote1 paragraphs

Bombay High Court (Shivkumar Dige, J.) allowed a regular bail application filed by Akshay Dashrath Akolakar, who had been in custody for around four years in C.R. No. 301 of 2022 registered with Hadapsar Police Station, Pune. The case involved charges under Sections 307, 323, 143, 147, 148, 149, 504 and 506 IPC, Section 4(25) Arms Act, Section 37(1) r/w 135 Maharashtra Police Act, Sections 3 and 7 Criminal Law Amendment Act, and Sections 3(1)(ii), 3(2) and 3(4) of the MCOC Act, arising out of an alleged scythe assault on 24.03.2022 on the husband of the first informant. Bail was granted principally because the evidence of the first informant and the injured witness had already been recorded before the Trial Court and both had been declared hostile. The applicant was directed to be enlarged on a P.R. bond of Rs. 30,000/- with one or two sureties in the like amount, subject to conditions of attending the police station as and when required and refraining from tampering with evidence or contacting the complainant or witnesses. The Court clarified that its observations were confined to the bail purpose and the trial would proceed uninfluenced by them.

20-BA-486-2026 (CR).doc

S.S.Kilaje

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY CRIMINAL APPELLATE JURISDICTION BAIL APPLICATION NO. 486 OF 2026

Akshay Dashrath Akolakar … Applicant

Versus

The State of Maharashtra … Respondent

Digitally signed SONALI by SONALISATISH KILAJE SATISH Date:2026.04.10 KILAJE 11:13:09+0700

Mr. Priyal G. Sarda a/w. Mr. Shubham S. Sane, Advocate for the Applicant. Mr. P.P.Jadhav, APP for the Respondent-State.

Mr. Sachin Sangle- PSI, Hadapsar Police Station, Pune, present.

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

P.C. :

By this application, the Applicant is seeking regular bail in C.R.No. 301 of 2022 registered with Hadapsar Police Station, Pune, for the offences punishable under Sections 307, 323, 143, 147, 148, 149, 504 and 506 of Indian Penal Code, 1860 (for short “IPC”), under Section 4(25) of Arms Act, under Section 37(1) r/w 135 of the Maharashtra Police Act, under Sections 3, 7 of Criminal Law Amendment Act and under Sections 3(1)(ii), 3(2) and 3(4) of The Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act, 1999 (‘MCOC’ Act).

It is prosecution’s case that on 24.03.2022, applicant and coaccused assaulted husband of first informant with scythe with intention to kill him on the ground of old dispute.

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20-BA-486-2026 (CR).doc

S.S.Kilaje

It is contention of learned counsel for the applicant that the applicant is behind bars for about four years. The evidence of first informant is recorded before the Trial Court and she has turned hostile. It may take time to conclude the trial and requested to allow the application.

It is contention of learned APP that the applicant is a gang leader. He has assaulted the injured with scythe with intention to kill him. The injured has suffered grievous injuries. 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 applicant is behind bars for around four years. The evidence of first informant and injured is recorded before the Trial Court, they have been declared hostile. Considering these facts, I pass following order.

ORDER

i. The applicant be enlarged on bail in C.R.No. 301 of 2022 registered with Hadapsar 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.

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20-BA-486-2026 (CR).doc

S.S.Kilaje

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 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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