1/4 32-ABA-3182-2023 (CR).DOC IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY CIRCUIT BENCH AT KOLHAPUR CRIMINAL APPELLATE JURISDICTION CR. ANTICIPATORY BAIL APPLN. NO. 3182 OF 2023 Sujit Shripad Chikane …...Applicant VERSUS The State Of Maharashtra …...Respondent _________________________________________________________________ None for Applicant. Dr. Ashvini A. Takalkar, APP, for the Respondent-State. API, Mr. S. V. Bile, Satara City Police Station, present. _________________________________________________________________ CORAM : ASHWIN D. BHOBE, J. DATE : 21st SEPTEMBER, 2026. P.C. 1. When this Application was called out, neither the Applicant, nor the Advocate for the Applicant were present, either physically or through V.C. mode. 2. This Anticipatory Bail Application is pending since the year 2023. As such, perused the records with the assistance of Dr. Ashvini A. Takalkar, learned APP, for the Respondent-State. 3. on 8th November, 2023, the following order was passed: “1. Heard the learned counsel for the applicant and the learned APP for the State. Shantanu S. Dhudum SHANTANU SHANKARSA DHUDUM Digitally signed by SHANTANU SHANKARSA DHUDUM Date: 2026.09.22 20:15:41 +0530 2/4 32-ABA-3182-2023 (CR).DOC 2. This application is preferred seeking pre-arrest bail in connection with C.R. No.754 of 2023 registered at Satara City police station for the offences punishable under sections 406 and 420 of Indian penal Code, 1860. 3. The applicant was working as a salesman with ‘Better Choice’ a distribution company situated at Powai Naka, Satara of which the first informant is a proprietor. Better Choice distributes Cadbury products. The applicant used to accept orders and collect the price of goods sold and delivered from the customers. 4. During the period January, 2023 to June, 2023 while checking the reconciliation list, it transpired that the applicant had not credited the amounts which were collected from various retailers. Upon further inquiry, it was revealed that the applicant had misappropriated an amount of Rs. 1,75,894/-. Hence, the report. 5. The learned counsel for the applicant submitted that as the applicant intended to leave the employment, he has falsely been roped in. The applicant had duly transferred the amounts to the account of the company. 6. The learned APP on the other hand, invited attention of the Court to the statement of the retailers, who had paid the amount to the applicant. Attention of the Court was also invited to the statement of the bank account of the applicant which shows that the amount claimed to have been paid by those witnesses, had been credited to the applicant’s account. 7. Prima facie there appears material to show that the few of the entries stated by the witnesses find mention in the statement of account of the applicant. An endeavour was made by the learned counsel for the applicant to show that, at times, the applicant had accepted the amount in his personal account as Shantanu S. Dhudum 3/4 32-ABA-3182-2023 (CR).DOC the amounts could not be credited to the account of the first informant. 8. Most of the witnesses have claimed that they had paid the amount in cash to the applicant. Three of the payments aggregating Rs.3,711/- were allegedly through banking channels. The major offence punishable under section 420 of the Penal Code entails punishment which may extend to seven years. Having regard to the quantum of the amount which had allegedly been defrauded and the punishment which the offence entails, I am inclined to grant interim protection while directing the applicant to join in the investigation. Hence, the following order. ORDER 1] In the event of arrest in C.R. No.754 of 2023 registered with Satara City police station, the applicant be released on bail on furnishing a P.R. bond in the sum of Rs.30,000/- with one or two sureties in the like amount. 2] The applicant shall cooperate with the investigation and attend Satara City police station as and when directed. 3] The applicant shall not tamper with the prosecution evidence and give threat or inducement to first informant, any of the prosecution witnesses or any person acquainted with the facts of the case. Stand over to 20th December, 2023.” 4. Dr. Ashvini A. Takalkar, learned A.P.P. for the Respondent – State, in all fairness, submits that the Applicant has appeared before the Investigating Officer as and when required and has co-operated with the investigation. She further submits that, on completion of the investigation, Shantanu S. Dhudum 4/4 32-ABA-3182-2023 (CR).DOC the charge-sheet has been filed and the same is numbered as R.C.C. No.268 of 2026 and is pending before the Court of Judicial Magistrate First Class, Satara. 5. In view of the same, Dr. Ashvini A. Takalkar, learned A.P.P. for the Respondent – State, submits that the custodial interrogation of the Applicant is not required in Crime No.754 of 2023. 6. Notwithstanding, the absence of the Advocate for the Applicant, in view of the fair stand taken by Dr. Ashvini A. Takalkar, learned A.P.P. for the Respondent – State, this Application is allowed by confirming the order dated 8th November, 2023 and making it absolute in terms of the operative part of the order bearing Nos.1, 2 and 3. 7. Anticipatory Bail Application No.3182 of 2023 is disposed of. ( ASHWIN D. BHOBE, J.) Shantanu S. Dhudum