13 apeal 881 of 2026.doc IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY CRIMINAL APPELLATE JURISDICTION CRIMINAL APPEAL NO.881 OF 2026 WITH INTERIM APPLICATION NO.3522 OF 2026 Ramchandra Narsu Makre ... Appellant/Applicant versus The State of Maharashtra … Respondent Ms. Vandana Bait with Mr. Niyati Sontakke i/by Mr. Amey Deshpande, for Appellant. Mr. D.J.Haldankar, APP for State. CORAM: N.J.JAMADAR, J. DATE : 15 OCTOBER 2026 P.C. 1. Heard the learned Counsel for the parties. 2. Admit. 3. Call R and P. IA No.3522 of 2026 4. This is an application for suspension of sentence and to enlarge the applicant on bail during the pendency of the appeal. 5. By a judgment and order dated 31 August 2026, the applicant has been convicted for the offences punishable under Sections 7 and 13(2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988. The applicant is sentenced to suffer imprisonment for six months and pay a fine of Rs.1,000/- with default stipulation for an offence punishable under Section 7 of the Act, 1988 and one SSP 1/3 2026:BHC-AS:42477 13 apeal 881 of 2026.doc year imprisonment for an offence punishable under Sections 13(2)of the Act, 1988. 6. Learned Counsel for the Applicant submitted that, the applicant has a fair chance of success in the appeal. The applicant has already paid the fine amount and by an order dated 31 August 2026, the learned Special Judge has released the applicant on bail under the provisions of Section 389(3) of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973. It was further submitted that, the hearing of the appeal may take time and, therefore, the sentence deserves to be suspended, lest the appeal may be rendered infructuous. 7. Learned APP opposed the prayer for suspension of sentence and release of the applicant on bail. It was submitted that the learned Special Judge has correctly analyzed the evidence and returned a finding of guilt. 8. The applicant has been sentenced to suffer a fixed term sentence. The maximum sentence is of one year. Having regard to the large pendency of the cases in this Court, it is extremely unlikely that this appeal can be taken up for hearing and final disposal in the immediate future. It also appears that the applicant has roots in society and the possibility of fleeing away from justice seems remote. The applicant was on bail during the pendency of the trial and, post conviction, by an order dated 31 August 2026, the learned Special Judge has released the applicant on bail. Thus, it would be appropriate to suspend the sentence and release the applicant on bail during SSP 2/3 13 apeal 881 of 2026.doc the pendency of the appeal. 9. Hence, the following order : ORDER (i) The Interim Application stands allowed. (ii) The substantive sentence imposed by the learned Special Judge Nashik, in Sessions Case No.19 of 2015 arising out of CR No.3069 of 2015 registered with Anti Corruption Bureau, Nashik, stands suspended till the final disposal of the appeal. (iii) The Applicant – Ramchandra Narsu Makre be enlarged on bail on furnishing a PR Bond in the sum of Rs.15,000/- and a surety in the like amount, to the satisfaction of the learned Special Judge, Nashik. (iv) The Applicant shall mark his presence at ACB, Nashik, on the first Monday of October and April every year, till the final disposal of the appeal. (v) The Applicant shall attend the proceedings in this appeal, as and when directed. (vi) Interim Application stands disposed. ( N.J.JAMADAR, J. ) SSP 3/3 Signed by: S.S.Phadke Designation: PS To Honourable Judge Date: 17/10/2026 19:19:44