Bombay High Court Grants Bail to Chetan Patil on Grounds of Parity With Co-Accused

The Bombay High Court has granted bail to Chetan Patil, accused under IPC Sections 306 (abetment to suicide), 387 (extortion), 506(2) (threats), 427 (mischief), 323 (voluntarily causing hurt) read with Section 34 (common intention), and provisions of MCOCA in connection with the alleged harassment and subsequent suicide of a shopkeeper in Thane district. 

The Court observed that Patil was not the main accused and noted that a co-accused had already been granted bail.

The court rejected the State’s contention that pending appeal rights justified denial, emphasising that intent to appeal alone cannot override parity. 

The Court emphasised that such delays impact Article 21 rights and directed the Maharashtra government to process appeal proposals within two weeks.