Mumbai, July 26, 2022 – Pratik Vijay Jadhav, accused in a violent assault case registered at Nirmal Nagar Police Station (CR No. 609/2022), has been denied bail by the Additional Sessions Judge, Dr. A.A. Joglekar, citing damning CCTV footage that clearly implicates him in the crime.
Jadhav, along with several others, is charged with a slew of offenses including attempted murder (Section 307), wrongful restraint (Section 341), causing grievous hurt with a dangerous weapon (Section 326), and rioting (Sections 141, 143, 144, 147, 148, and 149) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). The incident, which occurred on June 1, 2022, involved a violent altercation in MHB Colony, Khernagar, Bandra East, leaving several individuals hospitalized.
According to the prosecution, the incident stemmed from an earlier complaint lodged by the informant, Derik Maridas, against one Bunty alias Ratnadeep for issuing threats. Later, when Maridas and his associates went to Khernagar, they were confronted by Bunty, Jadhav, and others, leading to a brutal assault. Bunty allegedly initiated the attack with an iron spatula and wooden plate, while Jadhav and another accused, Deven, reportedly used paver blocks and stones to inflict injuries.
In his bail application (No. 1654/2022), Jadhav’s lawyer, Mr. Prashant Gurav, argued that his client was falsely implicated and that no incriminating evidence was recovered from him. He also cited parity with other co-accused who had been granted bail and pointed out the discharge of the injured parties from the hospital.
However, the prosecution, represented by Ld. APP. Mr. Abhijeet Gondwal, strongly opposed the bail, submitting CCTV footage that clearly showed Jadhav assaulting the victim with a wooden bamboo. Ld. Adv. Mr. Ravi Dwivedi, representing the intervener, echoed the prosecution’s arguments.
Judge Joglekar, after meticulously reviewing the CCTV footage, confirmed the prosecution’s claims. “Learned prosecutor has pointed out the Applicant/accused in the said footage and it can be clearly seen that the Applicant/accused has hit the victim with a wooden bamboo for nearly 4 times using all his force while holding the said wooden bamboo with both the hands,” the judge stated in his oral order.
The court rejected the argument of parity with other co-accused, noting that the predecessor judge had granted bail in those cases based on the absence of active participation in the alleged offenses. In Jadhav’s case, the CCTV footage clearly demonstrated his direct and violent involvement.
“Considering the instant case, as stated herein above the Applicant/accused is clearly seen to have hit the victim 4 times and therefore this clearly propel for his active involvement. This ipso-facto disentitles the Applicant/accused from any such relief of enlargement on bail,” Judge Joglekar emphasized.
The court also highlighted the settled principle that while deciding a bail application, it is essential to determine the existence of a prima facie case without conducting a detailed examination of the merits. Given the clear evidence presented in the CCTV footage, the court concluded that a prima facie case was established against Jadhav.
The court also expressed concerns about the potential for Jadhav to abscond, threaten witnesses, or tamper with evidence if released on bail.
Consequently, Bail Application No. 1654/2022 was rejected, and Pratik Vijay Jadhav will remain in custody. The case underscores the crucial role of CCTV footage in modern criminal investigations and its impact on judicial decisions regarding bail.