IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY CRIMINAL APPELLATE JURISDICTION CRIMINAL APPLICATION NO.671 OF 2009 IN CRIMINAL APPEAL NO.1039 OF 2008 Balu Bhaskar Krishna Ghadi ...Applicant Vs. The State of Maharashtra ...Respondent --- Ms. Sonal Parab i/b. Rajeev Sawant & Associates for Applicant Smt. Shine APP for the State ---- CORAM: V.M. KANADE J. DATED 31ST JULY, 2009 P.C. 1. Heard the learned Counsel appearing on behalf of the Applicant and the Learned APP for the State. 2. The Applicant has been convicted by the Sessions Court for the offences punishable under sections 342, 365, 385, 397 r/w. 120B r/w. 398 of the Indian Penal Code and sentenced to suffer R.I. for five years. The Applicant was initially arrested on 24.3.1993 and he was released on bail after about nine months from the date of his arrest. The Applicant was convicted and sentenced to undergo R.I. for 5 years by the Sessions Court by judgment and order dated 29.9.2008. His application for bail filed in appeal was rejected on merits by order dated 15th October, 2008. 3. The learned Counsel appearing on behalf of the Applicant submits that out of five years, the Applicant has already undergone 20 months of imprisonment though SLP was filed against the order of rejection of bail passed by this Court in the Apex Court. The SLP was dismissed, however, the High Court was requested to dispose of the appeal at an early date. 4. It cannot be possible to decide this appeal immediately in near future. Since Applicant has already undergone more than 50% of the sentence. Considering the sentence which he had already undergone and remission which is entitled under the provisions of the Act and the Rules framed thereunder, in my view, it would be appropriate if the Applicant is released on bail. 5. The Applicant, under these circumstances, therefore, is directed to released on bail in a sum of Rs.5,000/- with one or two sureties in the like amount. The Applicant, however, shall report to the D.C.B.C.I.D. Police Station twice in a month. 6. Application is, accordingly, allowed and disposed of. V.M. KANADE J.