Order 200826aba677.26 1 IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY NAGPUR BENCH, NAGPUR. CRIMINAL APPLICATION [ABA] NO. 677 OF 2026. Nikhil Narayan Agrawal -VERSUS- State of Maharashtra Office notes, Office Memoranda of Coram, appearances, Court's orders Court’s or Judge’s Orders or directions and Registrar’s orders. Shri Y.P. Bage, Advocate for the Applicant. Ms S.S. Dhote, A.P.P. for the Non-applicant/State. CORAM : M.M. NERLIKAR, J. DATE : AUGUST 20, 2026. Heard. 2. The applicant is apprehending his arrest in connection with Crime No.554/2026 registered with Murtizapur Police Station, District Akola for the offences registered under Sections 316[2] and 318[4] of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 (BNS). 3. The learned Counsel for the applicant submits that it is alleged in the first information report that the applicant has not paid an amount of Rs.5,79,017/- to the informant inspite of the fact that the informant had supplied him animal food. He submits that as the earlier Rgd. 2026:BHC-NAG:10836 Order 200826aba677.26 2 transactions are already cleared, in such circumstances, it cannot be said that the applicant was having any criminal intention for not paying the said amount and the dispute between them is of civil nature. He submitted that because of financial constraints he was not in a position to pay the said amount, however, now he is ready to pay said amount now, if some time is granted. He therefore, prays for confirming the order granting interim protection. 4. On the other hand, the learned A.P.P. submitted that inspite of the statement that the applicant now intends to pay the said amount, the fact remains that the allegations are serious in nature. She submits that though necessary material is collected by the investigating officer, however, for further investigation, custodial interrogation of the applicant would be necessary, she therefore, prayed for rejection of the application. 5. I have heard the learned Counsel for the parties and with their able assistance gone through the investigation papers. Perusal of the same reveals that prima facie the informant supplied animal food from Murtizapur to the applicant at Nagpur. The applicant has Rgd. Order 200826aba677.26 3 not paid the due amount of more than Rs.5 lakhs, howevr, as is assured by the learned Counsel appearing on behalf of the applicant that the applicant will pay the said amount within 3 months, considering said assurance, I am of the considered view that the applicant needs to be protected. It is a matter of record that this Court has already protected the applicant by granting interim order dated 30.07.2026, and therefore considering above facts and circumstances, the interim protection granted to the applicant, is hereby confirmed on the same terms and conditions, as are incorporated in the said order. Criminal Application is accordingly allowed and disposed of. 6. Misc. Applications if any, also stand disposed of. JUDGE Rgd. Signed by: R.G. Dhuriya (RGD) Designation: Senior Pvt. Secretary Date: 20/08/2026 18:13:55