34 - ABA - 3448 - 2023.doc IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY CIRCUIT BENCH AT KOLHAPUR CRIMINAL APPELLATE JURISDICTION CRIMINAL ANTICIPATORY BAIL APPLICATION NO. 3448 OF 2023 Nitin Rangrao Mane … Applicant Versus. The State of Maharashtra … Respondent ----- Mr. Samay Pawar (through V.C.) with Mr. Vaibhav Halake for the Applicant. Mr. Shriram Chaudhari, APP for the State. Mr. R. M. Kendre, PSI, is present. ------- CORAM : ASHWIN D. BHOBE, J. DATED : OCTOBER 5, 2026 P.C.: 1. Heard Mr. Samay Pawar, learned Advocate for the Applicant and Mr. Shriram Chaudhari, learned APP for the State. 2. On 11th December 2023, the following order was passed: “1. Heard the learned Counsel for the applicant and the learned APP for the State. 2. This is an application for pre-arrest bail in connection with CR No.556 of 2023, registered with Tasgaon Police Station, Sangli, for an offence punishable under Section 420 read with Section 34 of Indian Penal Code, 1860 (“the Penal Code”). 3. The applicant in furtherance of common intention with co- accused Rahul Kole had induced the first informant, who is a farmer, to sell the grapes by making promise of payment. The first informant was induced to part with grapes worth Rs.5,14,574/-. The applicant had allegedly paid a sum of Rs.50,000/- initially and, later on, VRJ 1 VAIBHAV RAMESH JADHAV Digitally signed by VAIBHAV RAMESH JADHAV Date: 2026.10.06 10:37:23 +0530 34 - ABA - 3448 - 2023.doc Rs.10,000/-. Cheques drawn by co-accused towards payment of the unpaid price of the grapes were allegedly dishonoured on presentment. It further transpired that the applicant and co-accused had deceived other farmers as well. Hence, the report. 4. The learned Counsel for the applicant submitted that the applicant was not the person who had purchased the grapes as the applicant was not dealing in the said business. It was co-accused Rahul Kole, who had purchased the grapes, and has been prosecuted by the rest of the farmers. Nonetheless to show the bona fides, the applicant is willing to deposit a sum of Rs.2,00,000/- without prejudice to his rights and contentions. 5. Prima facie it appears that the applicant had initially paid a sum of Rs.50,000/- to the first informant. That would give rise to the question as to whether the intention, even if it assumed that the applicant was the purchaser, was dishonest since the inception of the transaction. As it is alleged that the applicant has deceived other farmers as well, investigation is warranted. 6. However, till the application is decided after providing an opportunity to the prosecution, in view of the statement made on behalf of the applicant that the applicant is willing to deposit a sum of Rs.2,00,000/-, the personal liberty of the applicant can be protected. 7. Hence the following order: : O R D E R : (i) As undertaken, the applicant shall deposit a sum of Rs.2,00,000/- in the Court of the learned Judicial Magistrate, First Class, Tasgaon, on or before 26th December, 2023, without prejudice to his rights and contentions. (ii) In the event of arrest of the applicant in CR No.556 of 2023, registered with Tasgaon Police Station, Sangli, 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. (iii) The applicant shall cooperate with the investigation and attend Tasgaon Police Station on 18th and 19th December, 2023 in between 10.00 am. to 1.00 pm. (iv) The applicant shall not tamper with the prosecution evidence and/or give threat or inducement to the first informant or any of the persons acquainted with the facts of the case. Stand over to 23rd January, 2024.” VRJ 2 34 - ABA - 3448 - 2023.doc 3. Mr. Samay Pawar, learned Advocate for the Applicant, states that the Applicant has appeared before the Investigating Officer and cooperated with the investigation in Crime No.556 of 2023. He states that upon completion of the investigation, the charge-sheet has been filed. 4. Mr. Samay Pawar, learned Advocate for the Applicant, states that the Applicant, though having received an amount of Rs.60,000/- in Crime No.556 of 2023, has deposited an amount of Rs.2 Lakhs before the Trial Court. 5. Mr. Shriram Chaudhari, learned APP for the State, on instructions from the concerned Police Officer, submits that the Applicant had appeared before the Investigation Officer and the charge-sheet has been filed in respect of Applicant-Accused No.1 (Nitin Rangrao Mane). He submits that the other accused is absconding. 6. In view of the statements made by Mr. Samay Pawar, learned Advocate for the Applicant and Mr. Shriram Chaudhari, learned APP for the State, further, the Applicant being on interim bail since 11th December 2023, with no allegations of the Applicant having violated any of the bail conditions, this Application is allowed by confirming the order dated 11th December 2023 and making it absolute in terms of paragraph 7(i), (ii) and (iv). VRJ 3 34 - ABA - 3448 - 2023.doc 7. Anticipatory Bail Application No.3448 of 2023 is disposed of. (ASHWIN D. BHOBE, J.) VRJ 4