Pramod Nandu Chavan vs State of Maharashtra — Bombay HC (2026) — LawSathi Research

Pramod Nandu Chavan vs State of Maharashtra — Bombay HC (2026) — LawSathi Research

What the court decided

AI extract

Outcome

Regular bail in Crime No. 152 of 2025 (Nashik Road Police Station, District Nashik) on executing 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 and not to tamper with evidence or influence/contact the complainant, witnesses or any person concerned with the case.

Issue for consideration

Whether the applicant is entitled to regular bail in Crime No. 152 of 2025 registered with Nashik Road Police Station, District Nashik, for the offence punishable under Section 326(f) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023.

Court's answer

The applicant is enlarged on bail in Crime No. 152 of 2025 on executing a P.R. Bond in the sum of Rs. 30,000/- with one or two sureties in the like amount.

Ratio / Principle

Bail granted because the applicant has been behind bars for around 11 months, there is no progress in the trial, the investigation is completed and the charge sheet has been filed.

Key takeaways

Bail is subject to conditions: the applicant shall attend the concerned police station as and when required, and shall not tamper with the evidence or attempt to influence or contact the complainant, witnesses or any person concerned with the case.ratio¶¶20
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 the observations made in this order.ratio¶¶25

Detailed headnote1 paragraphs

Bail — Regular bail — Section 326(f) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 (Crime No. 152 of 2025, Nashik Road Police Station, District Nashik) — applicant alleged to have set ablaze an Old Age Centre on 20th March 2025 and caused damage to articles — applicant in custody around 11 months, investigation completed, charge sheet filed, no progress in trial — bail granted on P.R. Bond of Rs. 30,000/- with one or two sureties in the like amount — conditions: attendance at concerned police station as and when required; no tampering with evidence and no influencing/contacting complainant or witnesses — observations made only for the purpose of granting bail; Trial Court to decide case on its own merits uninfluenced by this order.

8-BA-74-2026 (CR).doc

Shubhada S Kadam

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY CRIMINAL APPELLATE JURISDICTION

BAIL APPLICATION NO. 74 OF 2026

Pramod Nandu Chavan ...Applicant Versus The State of Maharashtra ...Respondent

Mr. Himanshu S. Gavit, Advocate for Applicant (Through VC). Ms. Kranti Hivrale, APP for Respondent-State.

CORAM : SHIVKUMAR DIGE, J. DATE : 16^h FEBRUARY, 2026.

P.C. :

By this application, the applicant is seeking regular bail in Crime No. 152 of 2025 registered with Nashik Road Police Station, District Nashik, for the offence punishable under Section 326(f) of the the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023.

It is prosecution’s case that on 20th March 2025 around 3.00 a.m., the applicant set ablaze an Old Age Centre and caused damage to various articles kept inside the Centre.

It is contention of learned counsel for the applicant that the applicant is behind bars for around 11 months. There is no progress in the Digitally signed by SHUBHADA trial. The applicant has no antecedents. Hence, requested to allow the SHUBHADA SHANKAR SHANKAR KADAM KADAM Date: 2026.02.1718:14:00 application. +0530

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8-BA-74-2026 (CR).doc

Shubhada S Kadam

It is contention of learned APP that the applicant set ablaze the Old Age Centre without any reason and caused damage to the articles kept in the Centre. If the applicant is released on bail, he may threaten the first informant and prosecution witnesses. Hence, requested to reject the application.

I have heard both learned counsel, perused the charge sheet and documents produced on record. The applicant is behind bars for around 11 months. There is no progress in the trial. The investigation is completed and charge sheet has been filed. Considering these facts, I pass following order:

ORDER

(i) The applicant be enlarged on bail in Crime No. 152 of 2025 registered with Nashik Road Police Station, District Nashik, on executing P.R.Bond in the sum of Rs.30,000/- with 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.

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8-BA-74-2026 (CR).doc

Shubhada S Kadam

The application is allowed in the aforesaid terms and is accordingly 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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