Akshay Nandkishor Gawali vs State of Maharashtra — Bombay HC (2026) — LawSathi Research

Akshay Nandkishor Gawali vs State of Maharashtra — Bombay HC (2026) — LawSathi Research

What the court decided

AI extract

Outcome

Regular bail in Crime No.443 of 2024 (Dehu Road Police Station, Pimpri Chinchwad, Pune) on furnishing PR bond of Rs.25,000/- with one or two solvent sureties in the like amount, subject to conditions: not to enter Pimpri Chinchwad jurisdiction till recording of victim's evidence (except Court dates), not to tamper with evidence or influence prosecution witnesses, and to attend the concerned Court as and when required.

Issue for consideration

Whether the Applicant should be granted regular bail in Crime No.443 of 2024 registered for the offence punishable under S. 64(2)(i) of the Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023.

Court's answer

Bail granted primarily because the Applicant has been in custody for more than one year and two months and there is no progress in the trial, which may take time to conclude.

Ratio / Principle

The Applicant is to be released on bail in Crime No.443 of 2024.

Key takeaways

Release is on furnishing a PR bond of Rs.25,000/- with one or two solvent sureties in the like amount.ratio¶30
Condition: the Applicant shall not enter the jurisdiction of Pimpri Chinchwad area till recording of evidence of the victim, except attending Court dates.ratio¶31
Condition: the Applicant shall not tamper with the evidence and/or influence the prosecution witnesses.ratio

Detailed headnote1 paragraphs

Bail — Regular bail — Offence punishable under S. 64(2)(i), Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 (Crime No.443 of 2024, Dehu Road Police Station, Pimpri Chinchwad, Pune) — Allegation that on 6 October 2024 the Applicant took the victim to forest, threatened her and sexually assaulted her at knife point — Applicant in custody for more than one year and two months with no progress in trial, which may take time to conclude — Bail granted on PR bond of Rs.25,000/- with one or two solvent sureties — Conditions imposed: Applicant not to enter Pimpri Chinchwad jurisdiction till recording of victim's evidence (except attending Court dates), not to tamper with evidence or influence prosecution witnesses, and to attend Court as and when required — Trial Court to decide the case on its own merits and in accordance with law, uninfluenced by observations in the order.

15-BA-729-2025.doc

N.S.Kamble

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY CRIMINAL APPELLATE JURISDICTION

CRIMINAL BAIL APPLICATION NO.729 OF 2025

Akshay Nandkishor Gawali … Applicant

Versus

Digitally signed by NILAM NILAM SANTOSH SANTOSH KAMBLEDate: KAMBLE 2026.01.29 15:20:24 +0530

State Of Maharashtra & Anr. … Respondents

Mr.Aniket Nikam a/w Mr.Dushyant Digamber i/b Mr.Sumit Patil, for the Applicant. Mr.P.P. Jadhav, APP for Respondent-State.

CORAM : SHIVKUMAR DIGE, J.

DATE : 27^th JANUARY, 2026

P.C. :

. By this Application, Applicant is seeking regular bail in

Crime No.443 of 2024 registered with Dehu Road Police Station, Pimpri Chinchwad, Pune, for the offences punishable under Sections 64(2)(i) of the Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 (‘BNS’ for short).

It is prosecution’s case that on 6^th October 2024, the Applicant took the victim to forest, threatened her and sexually assaulted her at knife point.

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15-BA-729-2025.doc

N.S.Kamble

It is contention of learned counsel for the Applicant that the victim is major. The Applicant is behind bars for more than one year and two months. There is no progress in the trial and requested to allow the Application.

It is contention of learned APP that the Applicant has antecedents. He sexually assaulted the victim at knife point. The complaint was lodged immediately. The medical report supports prosecutions case. If Applicant released on bail, he may abscond or threaten victim and 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 one year and two months. 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 Nandkishor Gawali be released on bail in Crime No.443 of 2024 registered with

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15-BA-729-2025.doc

N.S.Kamble

Dehu Road Police Station, Pimpri Chinchwad, Pune, on furnishing PR bond of Rs.25,000/- with one or two solvent sureties in the like amount.

(ii) The Applicant shall not enter in the jurisdiction of Pimpri Chinchwad area, till recording of evidence of victim, except attending Court dates.

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

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

(v) The Applicant shall attend the concerned Court as and when required.

(vi) Application is allowed in the aforesaid terms.

(SHIVKUMAR DIGE, J.)

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