The Bombay High Court has overturned the Kolhapur Sessions Court order that canceled the bail of the main accused, Dr. Virendrasingh Tawade, in the Govind Pansare murder case. The bench stated that a sessions judge reviewing their own order is not legally permissible.

Tawade was granted bail by the Kolhapur court in February 2018. Subsequently, the state filed a petition in the High Court to cancel the bail. The High Court permitted the prosecution to file a new petition for bail cancellation in the Additional Sessions Court, Kolhapur.

Govind Pansare Murder Case

The prosecution filed a petition in July 2018 to cancel the bail, citing a witness statement recorded in September 2018. The witness described Tawade’s role as a conspirator. Lawyers argued that other witnesses had made similar statements and that Tawade had already been granted bail.

Dr. Virendrasingh Tawade’s Bail Canceled

The High Court stated that bail can only be canceled for four reasons: if the accused misused the bail, violated bail conditions, if bail was granted without full information, or if bail was obtained through fraud or misinformation. No such reasons were found in Tawade’s case.

The court also noted that the witness statement was recorded three years later and did not reveal new facts or changed circumstances. Additionally, other accused in similar roles had also been granted bail. The High Court concluded there was no basis to cancel the bail and that Tawade’s bail should remain in effect.

Bombay High Court

The Bombay High Court is one of India’s oldest high courts, established in 1862 during the British colonial era. It is renowned for its distinctive Gothic Revival architecture, designed by British engineer Colonel J.A. Fuller. The court has played a pivotal role in India’s legal history, adjudicating numerous landmark cases that have shaped the country’s jurisprudence.

Kolhapur Sessions Court

The Kolhapur Sessions Court is a historic judicial institution in Maharashtra, India, established during the British colonial era. It serves as the principal criminal court for the Kolhapur district, handling serious criminal cases and appeals from lower courts.

Govind Pansare

Govind Pansare was not a place or cultural site, but a prominent Indian social activist and author. He was a left-wing leader in Maharashtra known for his work against caste discrimination and social injustice. Pansare was tragically assassinated in 2015, an event that sparked widespread public outrage and protests.