Bombay HC Keeps Anticipatory Bail Alive in 40-Acre Government Land Case, Flags Allegation Against Deputy CM's Son
The Bombay High Court continued ad-interim protection for applicant Suryakant Yewale and directed the DGP and investigating officer to file replies in a government land purchase case where the applicant's counsel alleged that a director of the purchasing company — said to be the son of Maharashtra's Deputy Chief Minister — was not made an accused.
On 7 September 2026, Justice Madhav J. Jamdar of the High Court of Judicature at Bombay, sitting singly in its criminal appellate jurisdiction, heard Anticipatory Bail Application No. 8 of 2026 filed by Suryakant Gulabrao Yewale against the State of Maharashtra and others. The court declined to conclude the matter at this stage and instead called for replies from the Director General of Police and the investigating officer. Ad-interim protection granted to Yewale on an earlier date was extended until the next hearing. The case involves an allegation that 40 acres of government land was purchased through a company whose director, said to be the son of the Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra, has not been arrayed as an accused.
The Dispute Before the Court
Yewale sought anticipatory bail in connection with a crime in which, according to his counsel, he is not involved at all. The matter also carries Interim Application No. 469 of 2026, filed by Kundan Janku Gaikwad and others in the same anticipatory bail application.
Senior Advocate Harshad V. Nimbalkar appeared with Mr. Satyam Harshad Nimbalkar, instructed by Mr. Abhishek Ulhas Arote, for Yewale. The State was represented by Additional Public Prosecutor S.V. Gavand. Respondent No. 2 was represented by Mr. Shubhankar Kulkarni, instructed by Mr. Sandeep Dinkar Paigade. Mr. Atharva R. Bhingardeve appeared through video conferencing for an intervenor described as a watandar.
Allegation Regarding the Company and Its Directors
A central submission before the court concerned M/s. Ameida Enterprises LLP, described as a company that purchased government land admeasuring 40 acres. The company is said to have two directors: Digvijay Patil and Parth Pawar. Counsel for Yewale told the court that while Digvijay Patil has been made an accused in the case, Parth Pawar has not been, and attributed this to Parth Pawar being “very highly influential and the son of the Deputy Chief Minister of the State of Maharashtra.”
APP Gavand, appearing for the State, submitted that Yewale is involved in the crime, directly controverting the applicant's denial.
Court's Directions
Justice Jamdar directed the Director General of Police as well as the investigating officer to file replies to the application. The State's counsel confirmed that such affidavits would be filed within two weeks. The court adjourned the matter to 28 September 2026 and directed that it be shown “fairly high on board.”
The ad-interim protection that had been granted to Yewale on an earlier occasion was ordered to remain in operation until the next date.
Outcome
The anticipatory bail application was not decided on merits at this stage. The court continued the ad-interim protection already in place and fixed 28 September 2026 as the next date. Replies from the DGP and the investigating officer are due within two weeks of the 7 September 2026 hearing.