H.C.SHIV 909.BA2714.26.DOC IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY CRIMINAL APPELLATE JURISDICTION CRIMINAL BAIL APPLICATION NO.2714 OF 2026 Santosh Maribba Lade …Applicant V/s. The State of Maharashtra …Respondent Mr. Bharat Shinde with Mr. Hanumant Bade for the Applicant. Ms. Veera Shinde, APP for the Respondent-State. CORAM: SHYAM C. CHANDAK, J. DATED : 18th SEPTEMBER, 2026 P.C. :- 1. Heard learned Counsel for the parties. 2. Present Application seeks release of the applicant on bail in connection with C.R. No.I-335 of 2019, registered with Nerul police station, Thane for the offence punishable under Sections 452, 302, 120(B) and 34 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860 (“IPC”) on the report dated 25th July 2019, filed by Mr. Dhananjay Thorat. 3. The prosecution case is that, on 25th May 2019, between 10:30 hours and 12:52 hours, some unknown person entered in the house of Anil Gund and committed the murder of his father Arvind Gund. During investigation, police arrested accused persons including the applicant. It is alleged that the deceased used to insist upon his son Anil Gund to do some work instead of sitting idle at home. Therefore, Anil Gund hatched a conspiracy with the applicant and Rohan Barge (A3) and committed the murder. Page 1 of 3 HEMANT CHANDERSEN SHIV Digitally signed by HEMANT CHANDERSEN SHIV Date: 2026.09.19 14:07:20 +0300 H.C.SHIV 909.BA2714.26.DOC 4. Mr. Shinde, learned Counsel for the applicant submitted that, the entire case is based on circumstantial evidence and, there is no sufficient evidence against the applicant, showing his involvement in this crime. The case against A3 is of similar nature, who has been released on bail. Therefore, the applicant may be released on bail. 5. Ms. Shinde, learned APP submitted that since the allegations against the applicant and A3 are same, therefore, the principle of parity is applicable in this case. When A3 was granted bail, the case was part-heard as only 5 witnesses were examined. Till the date 9 witnesses are examined, but, the Investigating Officer is remained to be examined. The applicant is behind bars for 7 years 2 months. Therefore, he is entitled bail. Hence, following Order :- (i) The Applicant – Santosh Maribba Lade released on bail in the aforesaid FIR registered with Nerul police station, Thane on his executing P.R. Bond in the sum of Rs.50,000/- with one or two sureties in the like amount. (ii) The Applicant shall regularly attend the proceedings before the jurisdictional Court unless exempted by the said Court, for the reasons to be recorded in writing. (iii) The Applicant shall not tamper with the prosecution evidence and shall not directly or indirectly influence upon the prosecution witnesses to prevent them from deposing against him. (iv) On being released from jail, the Applicant shall furnish his contact number and residential address to the Investigating Officer and shall keep him updated, in case there is any change. Page 2 of 3 H.C.SHIV 909.BA2714.26.DOC (v) The Applicant shall not indulge in identical activities for which he has been arraigned in this case. (vi) It is clarified that any observation made in the present order are for the purpose of deciding the present Bail Application and should not influence the out come of the trial and also not be taken as an expression of opinion on the merits of the case. 7. Bail Application stands disposed of in aforesaid terms. (SHYAM C. CHANDAK, J.)