1/6 905-BA-663-2026(CR).DOC IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY CIRCUIT BENCH AT KOLHAPUR CRIMINAL APPELLATE JURISDICTION CRIMINAL BAIL APPLICATION NO. 663 OF 2026 Sandeep Balu Kamble ….Applicant Versus. The State Of Maharashtra and Anr. ....Respondents ----- Mr. Viraj Nalawade a/w Ms. Tanvi Lad, Ms. Sharvari Tipugade and Mr. Girish Mujumdar, for Applicant. Mr. Nitin B. Patil, A.P.P., for Respondent Nos.1 and 2 - State. ------- CORAM : ASHWIN D. BHOBE, J. DATE : 6th OCTOBER, 2026. P.C. 1. Heard, Mr. Viraj Nalawade, learned Advocate for the Applicant and Mr. Nitin B. Patil, learned A.P.P. for the Respondent – State. 2. By the present Application filed under Section 483 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (for short, “BNSS”), the Applicant seeks Regular Bail in Crime No. 256 of 2025, registered at the Mahatma Gandhi Chowk Police Station, Miraj, District Sangli, for offences punishable under Sections 178, 179, 180 and 181 read with Section 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 (for short, “BNS”). Shantanu S. Dhudum SHANTANU SHANKARSA DHUDUM Digitally signed by SHANTANU SHANKARSA DHUDUM Date: 2026.10.07 10:43:57 +0530 2/6 905-BA-663-2026(CR).DOC 3. Mr. Viraj Nalawade, learned Advocate for the Applicant, states that there are nine (9) accused in Crime No.256 of 2025, with the Applicant being Accused No.6. He states that Crime No.256 of 2025 has been registered as Sessions Case No.16 of 2026 and is pending before the Additional Sessions Judge, Sangli (“Trial Court”). 4. In brief, the prosecution case is that on 8th October 2025, upon receipt of information about fake currency notes in the custody of Accused No.1 (Suprit K. Desai), the police conducted a raid and seized 84 fake currency notes of Rs.500/- denomination from Accused No.1. During the course of the investigation into Crime No.256 of 2025, the roles of the other eight (8) accused were revealed. The Applicant was added as an accused based on the investigation. 5. Applicant was arrested on 11th November 2025. Bail Application at Exhibit-50 filed by the Applicant in Sessions Case No.16 of 2026 was rejected by the Trial Court on 16th May 2026. 6. Mr. Viraj Nalawade, learned Advocate for the Applicant, submits that the Applicant is arrayed as an accused in Crime No.256 of 2025, on the basis of a statement by a co-accused. He further submits that apart from the statement of the co-accused implicating the Applicant, there is no other material indicating the Applicant's involvement in the present crime. Shantanu S. Dhudum 3/6 905-BA-663-2026(CR).DOC 7. Mr. Nitin B. Patil, learned A.P.P. for the Respondent – State, submits that during the investigation in Crime No.256 of 2025, the Accused Nos. 2 to 4 disclosed the name of the Applicant. He submits that the statements of the said co-accused clearly demonstrate the involvement of the Applicant in the present crime. He submits that certain CDRs indicate that the Applicant had telephone conversations with the co- accused. 8. Perused the record with the assistance of the learned Advocates for the parties. 9. As submitted by Mr. Viraj Nalawade, learned Advocate for the Applicant, there is no material on record indicating the Applicant's involvement in Crime No.256 of 2025. Apparently, the Applicant has been arrayed as Accused No.6 in Crime No.256 of 2025 based on statements made by co-accused Nos.2 to 4 while in police custody. 10. The records placed on file in this Application do not show any recovery at the instance of the Applicant. Further, nothing was seized at the instance of the Applicant. The recoveries in Crime No.256 of 2025, as reflected in the documents placed on record at page Nos.55 and 60, show that the notes, stamp, dye, paper, printer, etc. were recovered at the instance of Accused Nos.1 to 5. Shantanu S. Dhudum 4/6 905-BA-663-2026(CR).DOC 11. Accused No.7 (Abhijit Rajendra Powar), against whom the allegations in Crime No.256 of 2025 are like those against the Applicant, has been released on bail by the Trial Court vide order dated 25th March 2026. Mr. Viraj Nalawade, learned Advocate for the Applicant, has tendered a photostat copy of the order dated 25th March 2026, which is taken on record and marked as “X” for identification. 12. Considering the nature of the allegations against the Applicant and the aforesaid circumstances, the Applicant's continued custody pending the trial of Sessions Case No. 16 of 2026 is not warranted. Hence, the following order: ORDER A) The Applicant – Sandeep Balu Kamble, is directed to be released on bail in connection with Crime No.256 of 2025 registered at Mahatma Gandhi Chowk Police Station, Miraj, District Sangli, upon furnishing a P.R. Bond in the sum of Rs.1,00,000/- (Rupees One Lakh only), with one or two sureties in the like amount, to the satisfaction of the learned Additional Sessions Judge, Sangli in Sessions Case No. 16 of 2026. B) The Applicant shall not, directly or indirectly, make any inducement, threat or promise to any person acquainted Shantanu S. Dhudum 5/6 905-BA-663-2026(CR).DOC with the facts of the case so as to dissuade such person from disclosing such facts to the Court or to any police officer, nor shall the Applicant tamper with the evidence. C) The Applicant shall, within three days of his release from jail, furnish to the Investigating Officer, Mahatma Gandhi Chowk Police Station, Miraj, District Sangli, his residential address along with proof thereof and his contact numbers, email and shall inform the Investigating Officer of any change therein from time to time. D) The Applicant shall report to the Investigating Officer, Mahatma Gandhi Chowk Police Station, Miraj, District Sangli, on the second Monday of every month from 10.00 a.m to 11.00 a.m., till the conclusion of the trial in Sessions Case No. 16 of 2026. E) The Applicant shall regularly appear before the Trial Court in Sessions Case No. 16 of 2026 as and when the matter is fixed, unless specifically exempted. If the Applicant fails to appear before the Trial Court on the fixed date, the same shall be treated as a breach of this condition and the Trial Court shall be at liberty to pass appropriate orders. Shantanu S. Dhudum 6/6 905-BA-663-2026(CR).DOC F) The Applicant shall not be involved in any offence of a similar nature to the present Crime No.256 of 2025. G) In the event of any default in complying with the conditions or misuse of the liberty granted to the Applicant, the prosecution shall be at liberty to seek cancellation of bail. 13. Criminal Bail Application No.663 of 2026 is disposed of. ( ASHWIN D. BHOBE, J.) Shantanu S. Dhudum