IA/489/2026 of SONU @ DHRUV SADASHIV MORE Vs THE STATE OF MAHARASHTRA on 19 October 2026

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY

CIRCUIT BENCH AT KOLHAPUR

CRIMINAL APPELLATE JURISDICTION

INTERIM APPLICATION NO. 489 OF 2026

IN

CRIMINAL APPEAL NO. 752 OF 2025

Sonu @ Dhruv Sadashiv More

…

Applicant

V/s.

The State of Maharashtra

…

Respondent

________________________

Mr. Praful Potdar (Through VC), for the Applicant.

Dr. Ashvini A. Takalkar, APP, for the Respondent-State.

Mr. Shridhar H. Kumbhar, Liaison Officer, Prison is present.

_________________________

CORAM

: NEERAJ P. DHOTE, J.

DATED

: OCTOBER 19 2026

P.C.:

1.

Heard the learned counsel for the Applicant/Appellant and the learned APP for the State.

2.

This is an application for suspension of sentence imposed by the learned Special Court (MCOC Act), Solapur, in MCOC Case No. 60 of 2021, convicting and sentencing the Applicant/Appellant as follows:

“1.

The accused No. 01) Sanjay @ Lakhan Gokul Pardeshi, 02)

Sonu @ Dhruv Sadashiv More and 03) Somnath @ Soma Sadashiv Gaikwad are hereby convicted under section 235 (2)

of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 for the offence punishable under section 394, 341 and 452 r.w. section 34 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860.

2.

The accused No. 01) Sanjay @ Lakhan Gokul Pardeshi, 02)

Sonu @ Dhruv Sadashiv More and 03) Somnath @ Soma Sadashiv Gaikwad are hereby convicted under section 235 (2)

Gaikwad RD

17-IA-489-2026-(CR).doc

of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 for the offence punishable under sections 3 (1) (ii) and 3(4) of the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act, 1999.

3.

The accused No. 01) Sanjay @ Lakhan Gokul Pardeshi, 02)

Sonu @ Dhruv Sadashiv More and 03) Somnath @ Soma Sadashiv Gaikwad, are hereby acquitted under section 235 (1)

of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 for the offence punishable under section 427 and 506 r.w. section 34 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860.

4.

Accused No. 01) Sanjay @ Lakhan Gokul Pardeshi, 02) Sonu @

Dhruv Sadashiv More and 03) Somnath @ Soma Sadashiv Gaikwad are acquitted under section 235 (U) of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 for the offence punishable under 3

(2) of the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act, 1999.

5.

Accused No. 01) Sanjay @ Lakhan Gokul Pardeshi, 02) Sonu @

Dhruv Sadashiv More and 03) Somnath @ Soma Sadashiv

(Seven) years and to pay fine of Rs. 1000/- (Rupees One Thousand only) each, I/D to undergo further imprisonment for 01 (One) month, for the offence punishable under sec. 394 r.w.

34 of the IPC.

6.

Accused No. 01) Sanjay @ Lakhan Gokul Pardeshi, 02) Sonu @

Dhruv Sadashiv More and 03) Somnath @ Soma Sadashiv Gaikwad are sentenced to pay fine of Rs. 500/-(Rupees Five Hundred only) each, I/D to undergo imprisonment for 15

(Fifteen) days, for the offence punishable under sec. 341 r.w. 34

of the IPC.

7.

Accused No. 01) Sanjay @ Lakhan Gokul Pardeshi, 02) Sonu @

Dhruv Sadashiv More and 03) Somnath @ Soma Sadashiv

(Three) years and to pay fine of Rs.1000/- (Rupees One Thousand only) each, I/D to undergo further imprisonment for 1 (One) month, for the offence punishable under sec. 452 r.w.

34 of the IPC.

8.

Accused No. 01) Sanjay @ Lakhan Gokul Pardeshi, 02) Sonu @

Dhruv Sadashiv More and 03) Somnath @ Soma Sadashiv

Gaikwad are sentenced to suffer rigorous imprisonment for 7

(Seven) years and to pay fine of Rs. 5,00,000/- (Rupees Five

Gaikwad RD

17-IA-489-2026-(CR).doc

lakhs only) each, I/D to undergo further imprisonment for 12

(Twelve) months, for the offence punishable under 3 (1)(ii) of the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act, 1999.

9.

Accused No. 01) Sanjay @ Lakhan Gokul Pardeshi, 02) Sonu @

Dhruv Sadashiv More and 03) Somnath @ Soma Sadashiv

Gaikwad are sentenced to suffer rigorous imprisonment for 7

(Seven) years and to pay fine of Rs. 5,00,000/- (Rupees Five lakhs only) each, I/D to undergo further imprisonment for 12

(Twelve) months, for the offence punishable under 3 (4) of the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act, 1999.

10. All the sentences shall run concurrently.

11. The accused No. 1 to 3 be given set off of the period undergone by them in jail, as provided u/s. 428 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973.

12. Bail bonds of accused No. 3 stands cancelled.

13. The muddemal i.e. cash of Rs. 200/- and Rs. 500/- be credited to Govt. and wooden log be disposed of as per law, after appeal period.

14. The accused are informed that, the appeal against this judgment and order lies to Hon'ble High Court and the period of limitation is 30 days.

15. The copy of judgment be provided to the accused No. 1 to 3 free of costs vide sec 363 (1) of the Code of criminal procedure,

1973.”

3.

By the impugned Judgment and Order passed by the learned Special Judge, in all three accused persons came to be convicted. The Applicant/Appellant is Accused No.2-Sonu @ Dhruv Sadashiv More.

The copy of the order dated 2nd December 2025 in Interim Application No.3682 of 2024 shows that, the sentence of convict No. 1, Sanjay @

Gaikwad RD

17-IA-489-2026-(CR).doc

Ratan Gokul Pardeshi has been suspended by this Court. The order shows that since the said convict, Sanjay @ Ratan Gokul Pardeshi was behind bars for a period of more than 5 years out of the 7 years, this Court had passed the said order.

4.

The copy of the chart available on record under the signature of the Deputy Superintendent of Yerwada Central Jail, Pune, shows that the Applicant/Appellant has undergone the substantive sentence and is currently undergoing the default sentence. The Applicant/Appellant is, therefore, entitled for suspension of sentence and bail. Hence, the following order: