32 - ABA - 2703 - 2023.docx IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY CIRCUIT BENCH AT KOLHAPUR CRIMINAL APPELLATE JURISDICTION CRIMINAL ANTICIPATORY BAIL APPLICATION NO. 2703 OF 2023 Sakharam Krushna Shedge … Applicant V/s. State of Maharashtra … Respondent Mr. Jayant Bardeskar (through V.C.) for the Applicant. Ms. S. N. Deshmukh, APP for the State. Mr. Sachin Sawant, Range Forest Officer, Aajra is present. CORAM : ASHWIN D. BHOBE, J. DATED : SEPTEMBER 22, 2026 P.C.: 1. Heard Mr. Jayant Bardeskar, learned Advocate for the Applicant, and Ms. S. N. Deshmukh, learned APP for the State. 2. On 26th September 2023, the following order was passed: “1. Heard the learned Counsel for the parties. 2. This is an application for pre-arrest bail in connection with C.R.No.2 of 2023 registered with Gadhinglaj Forest Department for the offences punishable under Sections 41, 63(A), 65(A) and 69 of Indian Forest Act, 1927 and 31, 47, 49 and 82 of Maharashtra Forest Rules, 2014. 3. The applicant is an owner of the Truck bearing registration No.MH-04-Bu-0181 wherein wooden logs in excess of the permit were found to be transported. It further transpired that those wooden logs were also bearing the seal of Forest Department SADG-6. 4. The learned Counsel for the Applicant submitted that the role of the applicant was that of transportation of the wooden logs. The VRJ 1 VAIBHAV RAMESH JADHAV Digitally signed by VAIBHAV RAMESH JADHAV Date: 2026.09.22 20:06:08 +0530 32 - ABA - 2703 - 2023.docx vehicle has been seized and the driver and cleaner of the truck were arrested and have since been released on bail. 5. In the backdrop of the nature of the accusation and the role attributed to the applicant, prima facie, the custodial interrogation of the applicant does not seem to be warranted for further investigation. 6. The learned APP, however, submits that the learned Additional Sessions Judge had adverted to the antecedents of the applicant. 7. In view of the above, I am inclined to grant interim protection to the applicant. 8. Hence, the following order : ORDER (i) In the event of the arrest of the Applicant – Sakharam Krushna Shedge in connection with C.R.No.2 of 2023 registered with Gadhinglaj Forest Department, the Applicant be released on bail on furnishing a PR bond in the sum of Rs.30,000/- with one or two sureties in the like amount. (ii) The Applicant shall co-operate with the investigation and report to Gadhinglaj Forest Department on 11, 12 and 13 October 2023. (iii) The Applicant shall not tamper with the prosecution evidence and/or give threat or inducement to any of the prosecution witnesses and the persons acquainted with the facts of the case. (iv) Stand over to 25 October 2023.” 3. Mr. Jayant Bardeskar, learned Advocate for the Applicant, states that the Applicant has appeared before the Investigating Officer and cooperated with the investigation in Crime No. 2 of 2023. 4. Ms. S. N. Deshmukh, learned APP for the State, on instructions from the Investigating Officer, states that the Applicant has indeed appeared and cooperated with the investigation, the charge-sheet has been filed and the matter is proceeding before the Judicial Magistrate First Class. She submits that the custodial interrogation of the Applicant VRJ 2 32 - ABA - 2703 - 2023.docx is not required in Crime No. 2 of 2023. 5. In view of the statement made by Ms. S. N. Deshmukh, learned APP for the State, that custodial interrogation of the Applicant is not required in Crime No.2 of 2023, the order dated 26th September 2023 is confirmed and made absolute in terms of paragraph No. 8(i) and (ii). 6. Anticipatory Bail Application No. 2703 of 2023 stands allowed and disposed of. (ASHWIN D. BHOBE, J.) VRJ 3