12 apeal 878 of 2026.doc IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY CRIMINAL APPELLATE JURISDICTION CRIMINAL APPEAL NO.878 OF 2026 WITH INTERIM APPLICATION NO.3512 OF 2026 Suresh Parvat Vetal ... Appellant versus The State of Maharashtra … Respondent Mr. Satyavrat Joshi (through VC) with Mr. Jash Joshi, for Appellant. Ms. R.S.Tendulkar, 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.3512 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 7 September 2026, the applicant has been convicted for the offences punishable under Sections 7 and 13(1)(d) read with Section 13(2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988. The applicant is sentenced to suffer imprisonment for two years for an offence punishable under Section 7 of the Act, 1988 and three years for an offence SSP 1/3 2026:BHC-AS:42476 12 apeal 878 of 2026.doc punishable under Sections 13(1)(d) read with 13(2) of the Act, 1988, and varying amounts of fine with default stipulation. 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 7 September 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 of sentence. The maximum sentence is of three years. 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 7 September 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 SSP 2/3 12 apeal 878 of 2026.doc bail during 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.3 of 2014 arising out of CR No.3007 of 2012 registered with Deola Police Station, Nashik, stands suspended till the final disposal of the appeal. (iii) The Applicant – Suresh Parvat Vetal, 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 Deola Police Station, Nashik, on the first Monday of November and May 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 19:17:47