Ganesh Shamrao Chavan vs the State of Maharashtra — Murder and Culpable Homicide | Bombay HC (2026)

Ganesh Shamrao Chavan vs the State of Maharashtra — Murder and Culpable Homicide | Bombay HC (2026)

What the court decided

AI extract

Outcome

Regular bail in Crime No. 1017 of 2019 (Lonikand Police Station, District Pune) on executing a P.R. Bond of Rs. 30,000/- with one or two sureties in the like amount, subject to conditions of attending the concerned police station as and when required and not tampering with evidence or contacting the complainant, witnesses or persons concerned with the case.

Issue for consideration

Whether the applicant, in custody for more than six years and two months in Crime No. 1017 of 2019 (Lonikand Police Station, District Pune) for offences under Sections 302 and 307 IPC with no progress in the trial, should be enlarged on regular bail.

Court's answer

Taking into account that the applicant had been behind bars for more than six years and two months, that there was no progress in the trial, and that the incident occurred suddenly, the court proceeded to grant bail.

Ratio / Principle

The applicant was ordered to be enlarged on bail in Crime No. 1017 of 2019 on executing a P.R. Bond of Rs. 30,000/- with one or two sureties in the like amount.

Key takeaways

Release on bail was made subject to conditions, including attendance at the concerned police station as and when required and abstention from tampering with evidence or attempting to influence or contact the complainant, witnesses or any person concerned with the case.ratio¶25
The observations in the order were expressly confined to the purpose of granting bail; the Trial Court is to decide the case on its own merits in accordance with law, uninfluenced by those observations.obiter¶30

Detailed headnote1 paragraphs

High Court of Judicature at Bombay (Criminal Appellate Jurisdiction), Bail Application No. 99 of 2026, decided 20 February 2026 by Shivkumar Dige, J. - Regular bail granted to the applicant arraigned in Crime No. 1017 of 2019, Lonikand Police Station, District Pune, for offences punishable under Sections 302 and 307 of the Indian Penal Code 1860 (alleged knife assault of 22 November 2019 on the applicant's mother, who died, and his sister, the first informant). Bail was allowed because the applicant had been in custody for more than six years and two months with no progress in the trial, which was expected to take further time, and the incident appeared to have occurred suddenly. The applicant was 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 concerned police station as required and refraining from tampering with evidence or contacting the complainant or witnesses. The court clarified that its observations were made only for the purpose of granting bail and the Trial Court would decide the case on its own merits uninfluenced by them. Application allowed and disposed of.

49-BA-99-2026 (CR).doc

Shubhada S Kadam

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY CRIMINAL APPELLATE JURISDICTION BAIL APPLICATION NO. 99 OF 2026

Ganesh Shamrao Chavan ...Applicant

versus

The State of Maharashtra

...Respondent

Mr. Vaibhav Chandanshive, Advocate for Applicant. Mr. Prashant P. Jadhav, APP for Respondent. API-V. P. Vanjari, Lonikand, Police Station, present.

CORAM : SHIVKUMAR DIGE, J. DATE : 20^th FEBRUARY, 2026.

P.C. :

By this application, the applicant is seeking regular bail in Crime No. 1017 of 2019 registered with Lonikand Police Station, District Pune, for the offences punishable under Sections 302 and 307 of the Indian Penal Code 1860.

It is prosecution's case that on 22^nd November 2019, the applicant assaulted his mother and his sister-the first informant with knife. In the said assault, his mother died.

It is contention of learned counsel for the applicant that the incident occurred suddenly. The applicant is behind bars for more than six years and two months. There is no progress in the trial. The applicant has

Digitally signed by SHUBHADA SHUBHADA SHANKAR SHANKAR KADAM KADAM Date: 2026.02.24 10:48:58 +0530

no antecedents. It may take time to conclude the trial. Hence, requested to

allow the application.

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49-BA-99-2026 (CR).doc

Shubhada S Kadam

It is contention of learned APP that the applicant assaulted his mother with knife and murdered her, whereas the first informant was seriously injured in the said assault. If the applicant is released on bail, he may abscond and threaten the prosecution witnesses. Hence, 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 six years and two months. There is no progress in the trial. It appears from the record that the incident occurred suddenly. The applicant has no antecedents. There is no progress in the trial and it may take time to conclude the trial. Considering these facts, I pass following order:

ORDER

(i) The applicant be enlarged on bail in Crime No. 1017 of 2019 registered with Lonikand Police Station, District Pune, 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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49-BA-99-2026 (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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