Bombay High Court Grants Bail in Sunburn Festival Plot Case Citing Lack of Evidence

The Bombay High Court granted bail to five individuals accused of plotting to attack Pune's Sunburn festival in 2017. The court cited insufficient evidence and lengthy incarceration as reasons for the decision. The accused had been in custody since 2018, and the trial is expected to be prolonged with 417 prosecution witnesses.

The Bombay High Court has granted bail to five individuals arrested by the Maharashtra ATS in 2018 for allegedly plotting an attack on Pune's Sunburn festival in 2017. The decision was made on July 30 by a division bench comprising Justices Bharati Dangre and Manjusha Deshpande.

The court observed that the evidence presented by the prosecution was insufficient to substantiate the conspiracy charges. The bench also noted the lengthy incarceration faced by the accused and the bleak prospects of a speedy trial, emphasizing that a speedy trial is a fundamental right of the accused.

The five accused, Sujith Rangaswamy, Amit Baddi, Ganesh Miskin, Shrikant Pangarkar, and Bharat Kurane, had been in custody since 2018. The court highlighted that none of the alleged attacks had been carried out, and the Sunburn festival had successfully concluded without any disturbance. Bail was granted with conditions, including a personal bond and regular reporting to the ATS.

(With inputs from agencies.)