MAHESH PATIL Vs. CENTRAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION

JUDGEMENT

(1.) HEARD Sri.Kiran S.Javali, learned counsel for the petitioner and Sri.C.H.Jadhav, learned counsel for the respondent-CBI in respect of bail sought by the petitioner who is said to be accused No.7 in the charge sheet in respect of the offences punishable under Sections 120-B, 379, 409, 420, 447, 468, 471 and 477-A of IPC and under Section 13(2) r/w 13(1)(c) & (d) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988.

(2.) LEARNED counsel for the petitioner submit that the petitioner was only a range forest officer and he was suspended much prior to the filing of FIR and he is in custody since 04.05.2012 and final report has been submitted on 30.05.2012. Therefore, considering the above factors and petitioner being under suspension, the material collected by the CBI also running to 18,000 pages with 310 witnesses being cited, petitioner therefore be released on bail as he is not required for any further investigation as could be seen from the charge sheet itself. Hence, keeping the petitioner in custody would not serve any purpose as likelihood of hampering the investigation or threatening the witnesses will not arise.

(3.) WITH these observations, petition is disposed of.