34-ABA-2441-2026.DOC IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY CRIMINAL APPELLATE JURISDICTION ANTICIPATORY BAIL APPLICATION NO.2441 OF 2026 Anant Kashinath Sonawane …Applicant Versus The State of Maharashtra …Respondent Ms. Anima Mishra a/w. Mr. Anuj Singh, Mr. Vinod Patil, Ms. Priyanka P., Ms. Ritu Singh i/b. Dhaara Legal, for the Applicant. Mrs. Savita M. Yadav, APP, for the Respondent-State. Mr R. C. Thoke, PSI, attached to Sarkarwada Police Station, Nashik, present. CORAM: MADHAV J. JAMDAR, J. DATED : 18th SEPTEMBER 2026 PC:- 1. Heard Ms. Mishra, learned Counsel appearing for the Applicant and Mrs. Yadav, learned APP appearing for the Respondent-State. 2. This application is filed under Section 482 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (“BNSS”) seeking pre-arrest bail in connection with C.R. No.174 of 2026 registered with Sarkarwada Police Station, Nashik, for the offences punishable Page 1 Sonali 34-ABA-2441-2026.DOC under Sections 3(5), 318(4), 351(2), 351(3) and 352 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 (“BNS”). 3. The prosecution case is set out in paragraph No.2 of the order dated 24th July 2026 passed by the learned Additional Sessions Judge, Nashik, in Criminal Bail Application No.1404 of 2026, which reads as under: “2. According to the prosecution, informant's son Shubham was searching job. He came in contact with one Vinod Dive, through their known person Devidas Dhomase. Said Devidas Dhomase assured Shubham and his family that he will arrange to provide government job to Shubham. Thereafter, Devidas Dhomase introduced Shubham with Vinod Dive, in turn, said Vinod Dive introduced the present applicant with Shubham. The present applicant is working with Maharashtra University of Health and Science (MUHS). He assured Shubham and his mother that, he will provide the job to Shubham, but they have to pay Rs.10,00,000/-. Believing the assurance given by Anant Sonawane, the informant has paid Rs.5,00,000/- by cash and Rs.3,00,000/- by cheque to Anant Sonawane during the period 10.07.2023 to 27.03.2024. However, after receiving money, said Anant Sonawane started avoiding the informant and her son Shubham. Despite of repeated persuasion, Anant Sonawane did not pay heed to the same. Lastly, the informant made inquiry with MUHS about the vacancy position, she was informed, there is no vacancy in the institute. That time, the informant realized, she has been cheated. The Page 2 Sonali 34-ABA-2441-2026.DOC informant made complaint against Anant Sonawane with the MUHS. The inquiry was set up against Anant Sonawane by the department. So, on 03.09.2025 Anant Sonawane with intention to repay Rs.8,00,000/- to the informant, issued cheque of Rs.8,00,000/- through Vinod Dive and Devidas Dhomase. The amount credited in the bank account of informant, seen debited after three hours. Therefore, the informant made demand of Rs.8,00,000/- with the Vinod Dive and Devidas Dhomase. They assured to return the amount within two months and started avoiding and threatening the informant of dire consequences.” 4. Thus, as per the prosecution case, the Applicant, who is working with Maharashtra University of Health and Science (MUHS), Nashik as Pro-Vice Chancellor told the First Informant that for the purpose of giving service to the First Informant’s son, an amount of Rs.8,00,000/- (Rupees Eight Lakh only) are required to be paid and in fact, accordingly, Rs.3,00,000/- (Rupees Three Lakh only) were paid by two cheques of Rs.2,00,000/- (Rupees Two Lakh only) and Rs.1,00,000/- (Rupees One Lakh only), which are the bearer cheques. The FIR further records that in fact, the Applicant went to the Central Bank of India and withdrawn the said money on the basis of the said bearer cheques and at that time, the officials of the Central Bank of India by calling the First Informant confirmed that the amount is to be given to the Page 3 Sonali 34-ABA-2441-2026.DOC Applicant. However, inspite of receipt of Rs.8,00,000/- (Rupees Eight Lakh only), the First Informant’s son was not given the service therefore, the FIR has been filed. 5. Thus, the crime is very serious in nature. The Applicant who is higher functionary i.e. Pro Vice Chancellor of the said Maharashtra University of Health and Science is prima facie involved in the commission of crime of accepting huge amount of Rs.8,00,000/- (Rupees Eight Lakh only) for giving public employment. 6. Accordingly, no case is made out for grant of Anticipatory Bail. 7. The Anticipatory Bail Application is dismissed. [MADHAV J. JAMDAR, J.] Page 4 Sonali SONALI MILIND PATIL Digitally signed by SONALI MILIND PATIL Date: 2026.09.19 13:02:49 +0530