Case Note & Summary
The appellant, Mangesh Chandrakant Ransing, filed an appeal under Section 14-A of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989, challenging the rejection of his bail application by the Special Judge, Ahmednagar, in Special Case No. 259 of 2019. The appellant was arrested in connection with Crime No. 395 of 2019 registered at Parner Police Station for offences under Sections 302, 307, 203 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860, and Sections 3(1)(r), 3(1)(s), and 3(2)(va) of the SC/ST Act. The prosecution alleged that on 02.05.2019, the appellant and his wife, Rukhmini, were admitted to Sassoon Hospital with burn injuries. The appellant initially claimed that his wife's family had poured petrol on both of them and set them on fire due to their inter-caste marriage. However, the victim later succumbed to her injuries, and the appellant was charged with her murder. The appellant argued that he was a victim himself and had no role in the incident, and that the co-accused had already been granted bail. The State opposed bail, citing the seriousness of the offences and the caste-based nature of the crime. The High Court, after examining the material on record, found that there was no prima facie evidence to show that the appellant had committed the alleged offences. The court noted that the appellant himself had sustained burn injuries and had been hospitalized. The court also considered that the trial was not likely to conclude soon and that the co-accused had been granted bail. Accordingly, the court allowed the appeal, set aside the impugned order, and directed the appellant's release on bail on certain conditions.
Headnote
A) Criminal Procedure - Bail - Section 483 BNSS, Section 14-A SC/ST Act - Grant of Bail - Appellant accused of murder and attempt to murder with caste-based insults - Court found no prima facie evidence of appellant's involvement in setting victim on fire; rather, appellant himself suffered burns - Co-accused already granted bail - Trial not likely to conclude soon - Held that appellant is entitled to bail on conditions (Paras 1-15).
Issue of Consideration
Whether the appellant is entitled to bail under Section 483 of BNSS, 2023 read with Section 14-A of the SC/ST Act, considering the lack of prima facie evidence and the prolonged incarceration.
Final Decision
Appeal allowed. Impugned order dated 10.09.2025 set aside. Appellant directed to be released on bail on furnishing PR bond of Rs. 25,000 with one solvent surety, subject to conditions including not tampering with evidence, not leaving jurisdiction without permission, and attending trial regularly.
Law Points
- Bail under Section 483 BNSS
- Section 14-A SC/ST Act
- Prima facie case
- Delay in trial
- Parity with co-accused
