11-APEAST-18653-2026.DOC IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY CRIMINAL APPELLATE JURISDICTION APPEAL (ST) NO.18653 OF 2026 Akash Sopan Chavan ..Appellant Versus State of Maharashtra …Respondents WITH INTERIM APPLICATION NO. 3255 OF 2026 WITH INTERIM APPLICATION NO. 3256 OF 2026 IN APPEAL (ST) NO.18653 OF 2026 Mr. R. M. Bhor, for the Appellant. Mr. D.J. Haldankar, APP, for the Respondent-State. CORAM: N. J. JAMADAR, J. DATE : 24th SEPTEMBER 2026 P.C.: INTERIM APPLICATION NO. 3255 OF 2026 (CONDONATION OF DELAY): 1. Heard the learned Counsel for the parties. 2. This is an Application for condonation of delay of 218 days in filing the Appeal against the judgment and order dated 4th December ARS 1/4 ARUN RAMCHANDRA SANKPAL Digitally signed by ARUN RAMCHANDRA SANKPAL Date: 2026.09.28 11:18:06 +0530 11-APEAST-18653-2026.DOC 2025, passed by the learned Additional Sessions Judge, Thane, in Sessions Case No. 201 of 2020. 3. In the Application, the Applicant has ascribed justifiable reasons for condonation of delay. 4. Hence, for the reasons ascribed in the Application and to advance the cause of substantive justice, the delay in preferring the Appeal stands condoned. 5. Application disposed. APPEAL (ST) NO.18653 OF 2026 : 6. Heard. 7. Admit. 8. Call R & P. INTERIM APPLICATION NO. 3256 OF 2026 (SUSPENSION OF SENTENCE): 9. This is an Application for suspension of sentence and to enlarge the Applicant on bail during the pendency of the Appeal. 10. By a judgment and order dated 4th December 2025, in Sessions Case No. 201 OF 2020, the learned Additional Sessions Judge, Thane, has convicted the Applicant for an offence punishable under Section ARS 2/4 11-APEAST-18653-2026.DOC 201 read with Section 34 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860 (“the Penal Code”) and sentenced him to suffer rigorous imprisonment for three years and pay a fine of Rs. 5,000/- with default stipulation. 11. The learned Counsel for the Applicant submits that the learned Sessions Judge has released the Applicant on bail under the provisions of Section 389 (3) of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973. 12. Since the Applicant was found guilty of the offence of causing the disappearance of evidence and sentenced to suffer imprisonment for a period of three years, which is a short sentence, and it is unlikely that the Appeal can be taken up for final hearing and disposal in near future, this Court is inclined to exercise the discretion in favour of the Applicant. 13. Hence, the following order: : O R D E R : (i) Application stands allowed. (ii) The substantive sentence imposed on the Applicant, Akash Sopan Chavan, by the learned Additional Sessions Judge, Thane, in Sessions Case No. 201 of 2020 arising out of Crime No.144 of 2019 registered with Uttan Sagari Police Station, stands suspended till the final disposal of the Appeal. ARS 3/4 11-APEAST-18653-2026.DOC (iii) The Applicant be enlarged on bail, on furnishing a PR Bond in the sum of Rs.25,000/- and one or two sureties in the like amount, to the satisfaction of the learned Additional Sessions Judge. (iv) The Applicant shall not contact, or give threat to, the first informant and the witnesses examined by the prosecution. (v) Upon being released on bail, the applicant shall furnish his addresses and contact number to the Investigating Officer and keep him informed in case of any change therein. (v) The Applicant shall mark his presence at Uttan Sagari Police Station, District Thane, on the first Monday of December and July, every year, till the final disposal of the Appeal. Application disposed. [N. J. JAMADAR, J.] ARS 4/4