1 05 ABA 617.26.odt IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY NAGPUR BENCH AT NAGPUR CRIMINAL APPLICATION [ABA] NO.617 OF 2026 [Gopi s/o Tahakandas Ajwani .vs. State of Maharashtra, Through Police Station Officer, Police Station Avadhutwadi, District-Yavatmal] - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Office Notes, Office Memoranda of Coram, Court's or Judge's orders appearances, Court's orders of directions and Registrar's orders - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Mr. Shyam D. Dewani, Advocate for Applicant. Ms. R.V. Sharma, APP for Non-Applicant-State. ……………. CORAM : PRAVIN S. PATIL, J. DATE : 31-07-2026. 1. Heard. 2. This court, by order dated 15.7.2026, granted interim protection to the present applicant. This court, while granting interim protection, directed the applicant to attend the Police Station and cooperate in the investigation. 3. It is informed that the applicant has attended the Police Station and cooperated in the investigation. It is also informed that his statement is also recorded in the matter. 4. In the present case, the allegation against the applicant is that being a Contractor and Proprietor of M/s. Teckson Builders, Pune participated in the tender process which was undertaken by the Irrigation Department of the Bembla Main Canal Project in the year 2005, has submitted the false experience certificate. This fact was came to the knowledge when this court in a Public Interest Litigation directed to make an enquiry in all the projects. As such, for producing the false experience certificate in the year 2005, the offence came to be registered against the applicant in the matter. 2026:BHC-NAG:9763 2 05 ABA 617.26.odt 5. The applicant has stated that initially when he received the notice on 22.2.2021 directing him to remain present before the enquiry officer along with the documents. He has tender his comprehensive reply stating that he had no personal knowledge of the tender documentation as the entire process had been handled by Late Shri Nanak Bhagwandas Krishnani. It is also pointed out that the said Shri Nanak Krishnani is expired in the year 2013. The applicant also pointed out that the project for which the alleged experience certificate is stated to be false and bogus, the said project was successfully completed by the applicant-company and completion certificate was issued certifying satisfactory completion of the work in the year 2009. Therefore, considering the facts of the matter, his custodial interrogation is not necessary. 6. The learned APP, however, strongly opposed the application by alleging that by using forged document as genuine and dishonestly inducing the Government to obtain the contract and, thereafter, the applicant has wrongfully gain for himself and company and gave loss to the state exchequer. According to the learned APP, the act attributed to the applicant disclose a well-planed fraudulent design involving forgery, cheating and deception and, therefore, prayed to reject the application. 7. In the present matter, from the case papers, it is clear that the experience certificate, which was relied upon, was of the year 2005, the project was completed in the year 2009 and the person, who handled the entire process on behalf of company, namely Nanak Bhagwandas Krishnani, is expired in 3 05 ABA 617.26.odt the year 2013. The applicant at present is 80 years old and suffering from various ailments. In addition to this, the applicant has cooperated the investigation after the interim protection granted by this court and his statement is also recorded, therefore, in my considered opinion, he is entitled for anticipatory bail. 8. In view of above, the interim protection granted by this court dated 15.7.2026 is hereby confirmed and following order is passed : O R D E R (i) In the event of arrest in Crime No.1092/2025 dated 01.08.2025 registered with Police Station Awadhutwadi, District Yavatmal for the offence punishable under Sections 420, 465, 466, 468 and 471 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860, the Applicant Gopi s/o Tahkandas Ajwani, be released on bail on his executing PR Bond in the sum of Rs.50,000/-with one solvent surety in the like amount. (ii) The Applicant shall attend the Police Station as and when called by the Investigating Officer with two days prior notice by the investigation officer. (iii) The Applicant shall, at the time of execution of bond, furnish his address and telephone/mobile number(s) to the Investigating Officer and the Court concerned, and shall not change the same till the final disposal of the case. (iv) The Applicant shall not directly or indirectly make any inducement, threat or promise to any witness acquainted with the facts of the case so as to dissuade him from disclosing such facts to the Court or any Police Officer. 4 05 ABA 617.26.odt (v) The Applicant shall not obstruct or hamper the police investigation and not play mischief with the evidence collected or yet to be collected by the Investigating officer. The application stands disposed of. (PRAVIN S. PATIL, J.) Gulande