In a significant order, the Bombay High Court has granted bail to Anil Popat Dhawade, one of the accused in the sensational Yavat murder case that had earlier shocked Maharashtra. The case had initially been reported as a leopard attack, but later took a dramatic turn when police claimed it was a planned murder. Justice Shivkumar Dige passed the order after observing that the prosecution’s case rested mainly on circumstantial evidence and an extra-judicial confession, which is considered legally weak.
Background of the Case
The incident took place in Yavat, Pune district, where a woman was found dead under circumstances that were first believed to be a leopard attack. For nearly three months, this version remained unchallenged.
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However, after further investigation and forensic reports, the police claimed that the death was homicidal. An FIR was registered, and Satilal More was arrested as Accused No.1. Based on his alleged extra-judicial confession, Anil Popat Dhawade was later arrested and portrayed by the prosecution as the main conspirator behind the murder.
According to the prosecution, Dhawade allegedly had an illicit relationship with the deceased and killed her after she demanded money. The police claimed that the murder was staged to look like an animal attack.
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Arguments Before the Court
During the hearing, counsel for the applicant, Advocate Smith Sunil Shinde, along with Advocates Ketan S. Pawar, Akshay Pathak, Yogesh A. Bhosle and Shubhankar P. Bhosle, strongly argued that:
- The entire case against Anil Dhawade was based only on an extra-judicial confession.
- No recovery was made at his instance.
- The alleged weapon was recovered from the co-accused, not from him.
- He had already spent over a year in custody.
- The trial had not progressed at all.
On the other hand, the prosecution opposed the bail plea, claiming that Dhawade was the main mastermind and had misled the authorities by projecting the murder as a leopard attack. The State also expressed apprehension that he might influence witnesses if released.
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Court’s Observations
After hearing both sides and examining the case records, the Bombay High Court made crucial observations.
The court noted that the prosecution case against Dhawade was entirely circumstantial. Importantly, the bench pointed out that:
“The applicant is arrested on the basis of extra-judicial confession. The evidentiary value of such confession can be decided only during trial.”
Justice Shivkumar Dige further observed that no incriminating recovery was made from the applicant and that he had already remained in jail for more than one year. The court also took note of the fact that the trial had not made any significant progress.
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The Decision
Considering all these factors, the High Court granted bail to Anil Popat Dhawade.
The court directed that:
- Dhawade be released on a personal bond of ₹30,000 with one or two sureties.
- He must cooperate with the investigation whenever required.
- He shall not tamper with evidence or influence witnesses.
- He must not contact the complainant or any person connected with the case.
The court also clarified that the trial court shall decide the case independently, without being influenced by the observations made in the bail order.
With this, the bail application was allowed and disposed of.
Case Title: Anil Popat Dhawade vs State of Maharashtra
Case Number: Criminal Bail Application No. 3519 of 2025
Decision Date: 14 January 2026
