August 5, 2025

In a significant ruling, the Supreme Court granted bail to Sarang Patharkar, who has been incarcerated for nearly six years in connection with the murder of his former business partner, Anand Narayan. This decision comes after the apex court set aside the earlier rejection of bail by the Bombay High Court from August 2024. The key considerations for the Supreme Court included Patharkar’s long period of incarceration and his clean criminal record. "We have considered the submissions. Having regard to the fact that the appellant already suffered incarceration of about six years pending trial, and it is not pointed out that he has previous criminal antecedents, we are of the view that it is a fit case where the appellant be released on bail pending conclusion of the trial," a bench of the Supreme Court stated. The court ordered that Patharkar be released on bail under conditions that the trial court deems appropriate. Advocate Sana Raees Khan, representing Patharkar, argued the absence of any prior criminal record and highlighted that the prosecution’s case is dependent largely on circumstantial evidence. Khan also expressed concern over the lack of progress in the trial, pointing out that only 19 out of 51 witnesses had been examined despite two directives from the Bombay High Court aimed at expediting the process. Conversely, the prosecution opposed the bail plea on the grounds of the seriousness of the crime and the potential risk of influencing the ongoing trial. Anand Narayan, a former sales executive with a local Marathi news channel, was found dead in his apartment located at Penta Galaxy in Antop Hill on June 4, 2019. The police have alleged that Patharkar was involved in Narayan's murder due to financial disputes linked to a failed hotel business venture they had together. Evidence against Patharkar includes CCTV footage and testimonies from a mutual friend who claimed to be present during the fatal incident. The decision by the Supreme Court reflects a growing concern around lengthy periods of pre-trial detention, emphasizing the need for timely justice. This case has garnered substantial media attention due to its high-profile nature and the ongoing debate surrounding the rights of the accused versus the severity of alleged crimes. Patharkar’s bail serves as a reminder of the principle that individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty, and considerations such as prolonged detention must be carefully weighed in legal proceedings. As the trial continues, the implications of this ruling could resonate beyond just the individuals involved, potentially influencing future cases where defendants have faced similar lengthy periods of pre-trial incarceration.

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Tags: Supreme court, Sarang patharkar, Bail, Anand narayan, Murder case,