47. BA 1890-2026.doc IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY CRIMINAL APPELLATE JURISDICTION BAIL APPLICATION NO. 1890 OF 2026 Dipratna Bhaidas Nikam .Applicant Vs. The State of Maharashtra .Respondent Ms. Pravada Raut, Advocate, for the Applicant Ms. Sangeeta Phad, APP, for the Respondent – State CORAM : MILIND N. JADHAV, J. DATE : 05.10.2026 P. C. 1. Heard Ms. Raut, learned Counsel for the Applicant and Ms. Phad, learned APP for the Respondent – State. 2. This Application is filed in connection with C.R.No. 8 of 2024 registered with Chavani Police Station, Nashik(Rural) for offences punishable under Sections 111, 318(4), 338, 336(3), 340(2) & 316(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 (for short “BNS”). 3. Applicant was working as Branch Manager in Nashik Merchant Co-operative Bank, Malegaon. Allegation of prosecution is that 12 Bank accounts were opened by other co-accused persons in the Bank and Applicant assisted them in opening the accounts on the basis of forged Aadhar Card and other documents like Pan Cards and Phone nos. All Anand 1 of 4 ANAND SUDHAKAR SUDAME Digitally signed by ANAND SUDHAKAR SUDAME Date: 2026.10.07 16:14:59 +0530 47. BA 1890-2026.doc 12 accounts were opened on the same day by the principal Accused person called Chirag. It is seen that in those 12 bank accounts, substantial amounts were received due to which present complaint was lodged. Case of prosecution against Applicant is that being the Branch Manager he was supposed to scrutinize the verasity of the account holders, their Pan Cards and Aadhar Cards. Admittedly, Applicant is not recipient of any amount which were transacted through the 12 accounts. Hence, considering the long incarceration of Applicant for more than 2 years and investigation being fully completed, after hearing submissions of learned Counsel for Applicant, I am inclined to accept the case of Applicant for grant of bail. 4. Hence, in view of above prima facie observations and finding, Bail Application of Applicant is allowed subject to the following terms and conditions:- (i) Applicant – Dipratna Bhaidas Nikam is directed to be immediately released from prison in connection with CR. No. 8 of 2024; (ii) Applicant is directed to be released on bail on furnishing P. R. Bond of Rs.25,000/- (Rs. Twenty Five Thousand only) with one or two sureties of the like amount; (iii) Applicant shall report to the Investigating Officer at Anand 2 of 4 47. BA 1890-2026.doc Chavani Police Station, Nashik(Rural), once every month, on the first Monday of the month between 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. until commencement of trial and thereafter shall attend all dates of hearing before the Trial Court; (iv) Applicant shall co-operate with the conduct of the trial and remain present before the Trial Court on all dates, unless specifically exempted. Applicant shall not seek unnecessary adjournments. Any such conduct shall entitle the prosecution to apply for cancellation of bail; (v) Applicant shall not leave the State of Maharashtra without prior permission of the Trial Court; (vi) Applicant shall not influence any of the witnesses or tamper with the evidence in any manner; (vii) Applicant shall keep the Investigating Officer informed of his current residential address and mobile telephone number and shall forthwith inform the Investigating Officer of any change in his residential address or mobile telephone number, as and when such change occurs; and Anand 3 of 4 47. BA 1890-2026.doc (viii)Any breach or infraction of any of the aforesaid conditions shall entail cancellation of the bail granted to the Applicant. 5. It is clarified that the observations made in this order are limited for the purpose of granting bail only and I have not made any observations on merits of the case. The trial shall be adjudicated on the strength of the evidence led and strictly on its own merits being uninfluenced with any of the prima facie observations made herein above in this order. 6. Bail Application is allowed and disposed in the above terms. (MILIND N. JADHAV, J.) Anand 4 of 4