IN THE SUPREME COURT OF INDIA CRIMINAL APPELLATE JURISDICTION Criminal Appeal No. /2026 @SLP (Crl) No. 2873/2026 SHASHIKAPOOR @ CHOCHO Appellant (s)

VERSUS THE STATE OF MAHARASHTRA Respondent(s)

O R D E R

1. Leave granted.

2. Heard learned counsel for the parties.

3. This appeal arises from an order dated 31.07.2024 passed by the High Court of Judicature at Bombay, Nagpur Bench, Nagpur rejecting the prayer of the appellant to suspend the sentence pending consideration of Criminal Appeal No. 782/2019 filed against the order of conviction and sentence dated

09.08.2019.

Signature Not Verified CHETAN ARORA Date: 2026.03.16 Reason:

4. At the outset, learned Counsel for the appellant submits that by now the appellant has served sentence of a period exceeding 15 years including remission. In such circumstances, it has been submitted that the appellant is entitled to be released on bail pending consideration of his appeal.

5. The learned counsel for the State- respondent has not been able to dispute the aforesaid position.

6. In view of the above, having regard to the appellant having already served sentence of over 15 years including remission, we are of the view that the appellant is entitled for