- 1 - aba633.26.odt IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE OF BOMBAY BENCH AT AURANGABAD 919 ANTICIPATORY BAIL APPLICATION NO. 633 OF 2026 Chandrakant Milind Jondhale ….Applicant VERSUS The State of Maharashtra & another …..Respondents Mr. S. B. Ghatol Patil, Advocate for Applicant Ms. P. J. Bharad, APP for the State. CORAM : R. M. JOSHI, J. DATE : 21st AUGUST, 2026. PER COURT : 1. Applicant seeks pre-arrest bail in connection with Crime No. 0497/2025 registered with Shevgaon Police Station, District Ahilyanagar, for the offences punishable under Sections 409, 420 of Indian Penal Code. 2. The gist of the First Information Report is that the present Applicant is said to have collected money from the members and not deposited the same with the bank during the period from 01.09.2022 to 28.12.2023. Thus, there is allegation that he has mis- appropriated a sum of Rs. 1,52,374/-. - 2 - aba633.26.odt 3. Learned Counsel for Applicant submits that the Applicant was working as a Field Assistant and that it was not his responsibility to collect any money from the depositors. It is his submission that only for the reason that there is mis-appropriation of funds in the institution, false report came to be lodged against the Applicant. He further submits that in order to show bonafides of the Applicant, the Applicant has already deposited sum of Rs. 75,000/-. 4. Learned APP opposed grant of any protection to the Applicant by referring to the allegations against him in the First Information Report so also audit report. 5. If there is allegation against the Applicant that he collected cash from the depositors and failed to deposit the same into the account of the institution, it is absolutely necessary that statements of such witnesses are recorded. This offence is registered in the month of June 2025. For a period of about one year, no such statements are there. This indicates there is reason to believe that this could be a false implication of the Applicant in the crime. Hence, liberty of the Applicant is protected in following terms :- - 3 - aba633.26.odt ORDER (i) In the event of arrest of applicant Chandrakant Milind Jondhale, in connection with Crime No. 0497/2025 registered with Shevgaon Police Station, District Ahilyanagar, for the offences punishable under Sections 409, 420 of Indian Penal Code. he be released on bail on furnishing PR Bond of Rs. 15,000/- (Rs. Fifteen Thousand only) with one surety in the like amount. (ii) He shall attend the concerned police station as and when called. (iii) He shall not contact the witnesses directly or indirectly. (iv) He shall not interfere with the evidence in any manner whatsoever. (v) He is further directed to cooperate the investigating agency for further investigation. (vi) The amount of Rs. 75,000/- be kept in Fixed Deposit and it would be subject to the outcome of the trial. - 4 - aba633.26.odt (vii) Learned APP to communicate this order to the concerned Investigating Officer. ( R. M. JOSHI, J.) dyb