MARUTI VASANT BHOSALE Vs. STATE OF MAHARASHTRA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) These are the Applications under Sec. 438 of Cr.P.C. filed by the aforesaid Applicants apprehending their arrest in C.R.No.127/2020 registered with Sangola Police Station, Solapur Rural for offences punishable under Sec. 415, 420, 468, 467, 471 of the Indian Penal Code.

(2.) Heard learned counsel for the Applicants and learned APP for the State. I have perused the records and considered the submissions advanced by the learned counsel for the respective parties.

(3.) The aforesaid crime was registered pursuant to the order dtd. 18/01/2020 passed by the learned JMFC, Sangola under Sec. 156(3) of Cr.P.C. on an application/complaint filed by Shankar Kharat. The records reveal that the Complainant - Shankar Kharat was elected as a Member of Village Panchayat - Behere Chincholi. He claims that the Applicants being Gram Sevak, Sarpanch and Office bearers of the previous committee, had committed fraud and misappropriation. The allegations pertain to the period from 2007 and onwards. Considering the nature of the accusations, this Court had granted pre-arrest bail to another office bearer in Anticipatory Bail Application (St.) No.2912/2020. Furthermore, this Court (Coram : N.J. Jamadar, J.) by order dtd. 17/06/2022 had granted interim protection to these Applicants. It is stated that pursuant to the said order, the Applicants have reported to the Investigating Officer and that they have co- operated with the investigation.