Mumbai, February 29, 2024 – The Sessions Court for Greater Mumbai has rejected the bail application of 20-year-old Rahil Anwar Shaikh, accused in an attempted murder case, citing the severity of the allegations and the ongoing investigation.
Case Background
Shaikh was arrested in connection with an assault on Hansaraj Ramkumar Yadav, which took place on January 2, 2024, around 9:30 p.m. The incident, which allegedly involved Shaikh and his father, Anwar Shaikh, led to the victim sustaining grievous injuries. According to the prosecution, Rahil Shaikh stabbed the victim in the abdomen with an intention to kill him. The case was registered the following morning at 9:13 a.m. at M.R.A. Marg Police Station under sections 307 (attempt to murder), 323 (voluntarily causing hurt), 504 (intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of peace), and 34 (acts done by several persons in furtherance of common intention) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).
Court Proceedings
The bail plea was heard by Additional Sessions Judge Dr. S.D. Tawshikar on February 26, 2024. Representing the accused, Advocate Munira Palanpurwala argued that the alleged attack involved only a single knife blow and that the injured victim had already been discharged from the hospital. She further pointed out that Rahil’s father, a co-accused in the case, had already been granted bail, making a case for parity. Additionally, she assured the court that the accused was willing to cooperate fully with the ongoing investigation.
However, Additional Public Prosecutor Ajit Chavan, opposing the bail, submitted that the attack was premeditated, with a knife used on a vital body part. He also informed the court that a key witness, Vinod Singh, had yet to give his statement due to being out of town, and the investigation was still incomplete. The prosecution argued that granting bail at this stage could hamper the investigation and allow the accused to influence witnesses.
Court’s Ruling
After considering the arguments, Judge Tawshikar ruled that Shaikh’s case could not be considered on par with his father’s, as the applicant was the primary assailant. Given the grievous nature of the injuries sustained by the victim and the incomplete investigation, the court found a strong prima facie case against the accused and declined to grant bail.
Final Order: The Criminal Bail Application No. 376 of 2024 stands rejected.
Legal Implications
The rejection of the bail application means that Shaikh will remain in judicial custody while the investigation continues. The case highlights the court’s stance on serious offenses such as attempted murder, where granting bail is considered only under exceptional circumstances. The matter will proceed further as the police complete their investigation and file the charge sheet.