Sanjay Sanyal vs State of Maharashtra, through Office In-charge

Judicial Analysis Court Copy Headnote Facts Arguments Court observation

2026 Supreme(Bom) 421

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY
ASHWIN D.BHOBE
Sanjay Sanyal – Appellant
Versus
State of Maharashtra, through Office In-charge – Respondent

Advocates Appeared:
For the Appellant :Mr. Sunip Sen, Senior Advocate a/w Ms. Loopa Munim, Mr. Jagdish Rajgor and Ms. Khushbu Dedavat i/b M/s. Rajesh Kothari & Co.
Mr. Anandrao Maruti Pawar, PSI, SDPO, Boisar, District Palghar is present.
For the Respondent: Mr. Tanveer Khan, APP, Dr. Sreeramappa Chinnappa
Mr. A. P. Mundargi, Senior Advocate, as Amicus Curiae.

JUDGMENT :

ASHWIN D. BHOBE, J.

1. These proceedings are recorded in accordance with the decision of this Court in Hema Suresh Ahuja & Ors. v. State of Maharashtra & Anr., 2024 SCC OnLineBom 784, as the subject matter pertains to an offence under the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989 (for short, “Atrocities Act, 1989”).

2. The Committee constituted in terms of the Notification No. P.1602, dated 09.09.2015, regarding Rules for the presentation and conduct of proceedings in person by parties, vide Office Report dated 31.01.2026, declined permission to Respondent No. 2 (Sreeramappa Chinnappa) to appear in person. On 06.02.2026, Respondent No. 2 appeared through VC and declined the appointment of an Advocate from the Legal Aid Panel. However, Respondent No. 2 pleaded for the appointment of an Advocate to assist this Court. Mr. A. P. Mundargi, learned Senior Counsel, was therefore requested to appear in this matter as an Amicus Curiae.

3. Heard Mr. A. P. Mundargi, learned Amicus Curiae, Mr. Sunip Sen, learned Senior Counsel for the Petitioners in both these petitions, and Mr. Tanveer G. Khan, learned APP for the Respondent – State.

4. Mr. A. P. Mun