1 CA5213/2011 IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY BENCH AT AURANGABAD CRIMINAL APPLICATION NO. 5213 OF 2011 1. Yeshwantrao s/o Panduji Shinde 2. Bhaurao s/o Gangadhar Shinde 3. Rajesh s/o Gangaram Bandale 4. Parvatibai @ Kondyabai w/o Munjaji Chavan Applicants V E R S U S The State of Maharashtra Respondent Shri M.V. Ghatge, Advocate for the applicants Shri B.V. Wagh, APP for the respondent / State CORAM : R.Y. GANOO, J. DATED : 14th December, 2011 PER COURT : 1. Heard learned Advocates of both sides. 2. Applicants apprehend arrest in connection with F.I.R. No. 83 of 2011, registered with Hadgaon Police Station, District Nanded, under Sections 420, 468, 471, 506 read with Section 34 of the Indian Penal Code. 3. Perusal of the record would go to show that the role alleged against the present applicants is that they acted as witnesses to the transaction of sale deed 2 CA5213/2011 dated 11th April, 2011 between Nathu Shinde and Darubai Shinde. 4. According to the learned A.P.P., the applicants knew that the said land was in dispute, and despite that, they acted as witnesses to the above mentioned sale transaction. 5. In my view, applicants can be granted anticipatory bail as their act as witnesses by itself is not an offence carved out under Indian Penal Code or any other law. They could have acted as witnesses despite the dispute about the land. An attesting witness merely attest the signature of the person and nothing beyond that. In view of this, following order is passed to dispose of the present application : O R D E R A. In the event of arrest of any of the applicant in connection with F.I.R. No. 83 of 2011, registered with Hadgaon Police 3 CA5213/2011 Station, District Nanded, said applicant be released on bail in the sum of Rs.15,000/- (Rupees Fifteen Thousand) with one surety in the like amount. Said applicant shall furnish P.R. Bond of Rs.15,000/- (Rupees Fifteen Thousand). B. All the applicants shall attend the concerned police station now on 21st December, 2011, between 11.00 a.m. to 04.00 p.m. and thereafter as and when called for. ( R.Y. GANOO, J. ) SRM/14/12/11