Bombay High Court
Dilip Bakaram Gavit vs The State Of Maharashtra on 24 April, 2026
2026:BHC-AUG:18545
1 bs 579.26
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY
BENCH AT AURANGABAD
BAIL APPLICATION NO. 579 OF 2026
Dilip Bakaram Gavit,
Age : 39 Years, Occu. : Labour,
R/o Vadsatra, Tal. Navapur,
Dist. Nandurbar. .. Applicant
Versus
The State of Maharashtra .. Respondent
Ms. Rutuja L. Jakhade, Advocate for the Applicant.
Shri S. V. Hange, A.P.P. for the Respondent - State.
CORAM : SHAILESH P. BRAHME, J.
DATE : 24TH APRIL, 2026.
FINAL ORDER :
. Heard both sides.
2. The applicant is seeking regular bail in connection with Cr.
No. 242/2024, registered with Visarwadi Police Station, District
Nandurbar, for the offences punishable under Sections 302, 201
Indian Penal Code and under Section 3(2) of the Maharashtra
Prevention and Eradication of Human Sacrifice and Other
Inhuman Evil and Aghori Practices and Black Magic Act, 2013.
3. The applicant is arrested on 22.07.2025 in pursuance of the
complaint lodged with the Police Station by Shantilal Fakira
Kokani, who learnt from Ex-Sarpanch - Satish Gavali that a
2 bs 579.26
beheaded dead body of a woman was found at the side of a dam
at Palsun, Tq. Navapur. On visiting the spot, it was found that
the dead body was rapped in a blue bag. The victim appeared to
have been killed by sharp weapon by some unidentified person.
The charge sheet is filed on 13.10.2025.
4. Learned counsel for the applicant submits that there is
absolutely no material to connect the applicant to the crime. He
is implicated on suspicion. There is no recovery against him. No
material is collected to show any nexus of the applicant with the
deceased. The allegations of black magic are absolutely
unfounded.
5. Per contra, learned A. P. P. would vehemently oppose the
submissions. The supplementary statement of the witness would
disclose involvement of the applicant. He is said to have been
participated in the black magic and instrumental in killing the
victim. My attention is invived to the statements of Santosh
Jaysing Gavali, Sakharam Janya Bhoye and Laxman Gomji
Gavit. Further reliance is placed on statement of Somnath.
Statement of Sakaharamm Bhoye. Statement of Sakharam
Bhoye recorded U/Sec. 183 of the Bhartiya Nagarik Suraksha
Sanhit (for the sake of brevity and convenience here inafter
referred as to the "B. N. S. S.").
6. First information report is filed against unidentified
person. The statements of the witnesses disclose that they learnt
3 bs 579.26
about practise of black magic and victim was being suspected as
witch (Mkdhu). However, no clinching material is pointed out to
connect the applicant to the assault on victim. He is implicated
on the basis of suspicion.
7. The statement of Sakharam Bhoye recorded U/Sec. 183 of
the Bhartiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita is inadmissible because
he is arrainged as accused. No recovery is made at the instance
of the applicant. There is no point in detaining the applicant in
jail any further. No antecedents are recorded. I propose to
release him on bail. I, therefore, pass following order.
ORDER
A. The bail application is allowed. B. Applicant - Dilip Bakaram Gavit shall be released on bail
in respect of Cr. No. 242/2024, registered with Visarwadi Police Station, District Nandurbar, for the offences punishable under Sections 302, 201 Indian Penal Code and under Section 3(2) of the Maharashtra Prevention and Eradication of Human Sacrifice and Other Inhuman Evil and Aghori Practices and Black Magic Act, 2013 on condition of furnishing P. R. bond and S. B. of Rs. 15,000/- (Rs. Fifteen thousands only) with one solvent surety of like amount.
C. The applicant shall not tamper with prosecution evidence or contact with the prosecution witnesses.
4 bs 579.26 D. The applicant shall co-operate in expeditious disposal of the trial.
E. The applicant shall surrender his Aadhar and Pan cards before the Investigating Officer.
F. Bail application is disposed of.
[ SHAILESH P. BRAHME J. ]
bsb/April 26