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3 hours ago
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ARTICLE AD BOX
The Supreme Court has refused to grant bail to an accused in Maharashtra's Bhiwandi-based corporator, citing the gravity of the allegations and ongoing trial proceedings. The Court instead directed that the trial be fast-tracked with a strict timeline.
The bench of Justices Surya Kant and Joymalya Bagchi were hearing a bail plea filed by Prashant Bhaskar Mhatre, who is accused of murdering his cousin Manoj Ananta Mhatre (53), who was a Congress corporator from Bhiwandi.
Mhatre is facing trial under the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA), in a 2017 FIR which alleges that he, along with a co-accused, attacked the victim with firearms and sharp weapons over political rivalry.
According to the prosecution, Prashant Mhatre was allegedly requesting a ticket for contesting elections. Having been denied, he is said to have unsuccessfully tried to kill Manoj Mhatre first in 2013, but failed.
Eventually, on the fateful day, Prashant Mhatre along with his co-accused brutally assaulted the victim with a firearm, sickles and chopper – causing him grievous injuries.
The prosecution claimed that the weapons used in the 2013 offence were recovered from Prashant Mhatre's office.
Appearing for Prashant Mhatre, senior advocate Prakash Deu Naik contended that the petitioner has been in custody for over eight years and sought bail on grounds of parity with 17 co-accused who are already out on bail.
However, the State, represented by advocate Deepak Salvi, argued that Mhatre’s case was distinguishable due to his direct role, criminal antecedents, and threats to witnesses.
Salvi pointed out that 24 witnesses have already been deposed in the case and about 30 vital witnesses are yet to be examined, while the total number of remaining prosecution witnesses is above 50.
Salvi submitted, "the depositions of witnesses will have a direct bearing on the outcome of the trial. The principle of prolonged incarceration is inapplicable in the instant case, since the delay has been caused by the petitioner and his co-accused, who did not allow the Court to frame charges for a period of 5 years."
Advocate Satish Maneshinde appeared for the widow of Manoj Mhatre, who pointed out that two witnesses had been specifically threatened, and they had been given police protection, apart from the alleged threats extended to the family of the deceased.
The Court directed that the trial in the case conclude by January 31, 2026 and, if there is a delay, then the Principal District Judge will have to submit an explanation to that effect to the Supreme Court.
It clarified that Prashant Mhatre could renew his bail plea if the trial isn’t concluded within the stipulated period.
- Ends
Published By:
Akshat Trivedi
Published On:
Jul 21, 2025
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