1 26-APEAL 708-26.doc IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY CRIMINAL APPELLATE JURISDICTION CRIMINAL APPEAL NO.708 OF 2026 Rajesh Pandurang Salve … Appellant Vs. The State of Maharashtra & Anr. … Respondents ----- Mr. Satyam A. Surana i/by Mr. Atul R. Patil for the Appellant. Mr. Mayur Sonavane, APP for Respondent No.1-State. None for Respondent No.2. PSI Pankaj Khopade, Kondhwa PS, Pune City is present. ----- CORAM : N.R. BORKAR, J. DATE : 21ST SEPTEMBER 2026 P.C. : 1. This Appeal under Section 14-A of the Scheduled Caste and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989 takes exception to the order dated 09th December 2025 passed by the Learned Special Judge, Pune in Criminal Bail Application No.6540 of 2025. 2. By the impugned order, the Learned Special Court has rejected the application for anticipatory bail filed by the present Appellant, who is apprehending his arrest in Crime No.561 of 2025 registered at Kondhawa Police Station for the offences punishable under Sections 329(3), 303(2), 324(4), 189(1), 189(2), 190, 191(2), 352, 351(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 and under Sections 3(1)(f)(g), 3(2) of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989 (for short “SC & ST Act”). Mugdha 1 of 3 2 26-APEAL 708-26.doc 3. It is the case of the prosecution that the first informant and his relatives who belong to Scheduled Caste had jointly purchased land bearing Survey No.33/3A, Yewalewadi, Pune, by a registered sale deed dated 21st March 2024. It is alleged that the present Appellant and other co-accused had illegally entered and encroached upon the said property of the first informant and when he questioned them, they allegedly abused and threatened him and his relatives of dire consequences. It is alleged that they demolished the tin-sheds which were erected by the first informant and his relatives on the said property. 4. I have heard Learned Counsel for the Appellant and Learned APP for Respondent No.1-State. 5. Learned Counsel for the Appellant submits that the Appellant himself belongs to the Scheduled Caste. It is submitted that the Appellant has nothing to do with the alleged property dispute which is between co- accused Kamlesh Ostawal and first informant. It is submitted that there is a delay of about two months in lodging the FIR. It is further submitted that the prosecution has already filed chargesheet against said co-accused Kamlesh Ostawal. 6. On the other hand, Learned APP for Respondent No.1-State submits that considering the nature of crime, the Appellant may not be released on anticipatory bail. 7. I have perused the FIR. The main allegations are against co-accused Mugdha 2 of 3 3 26-APEAL 708-26.doc Kamlesh Ostawal. The prosecution has already filed chargesheet against the said co-accused. The Appellant cannot be charged for the offences punishable under the SC & ST Act as he himself belongs to Schedule Caste. There appears to be no need of custodial interrogation. Considering the overall facts and circumstances of the case, I am inclined to release the Appellant on anticipatory bail. Hence, the following order: ORDER i. The Criminal Appeal is allowed. ii. The impugned order is set aside. iii. In the event of the arrest of the Appellant in Crime No.561 of 2025 registered at Kondhawa Police Station for the offences punishable under Sections 329(3), 303(2), 324(4), 189(1), 189(2), 190, 191(2), 352, 351(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 and under Sections 3(1)(f) (g), 3(2) of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989, he shall be released on bail on furnishing a PR Bond in the sum of Rs.25,000/- (Rupees Twenty Five Thousand Only) with one or two sureties in the like amount. 8. The Criminal Appeal is disposed of in the aforesaid terms. (N.R. BORKAR, J.) Mugdha 3 of 3