State of Maharashtra vs Vasant Shivram Sawant Advocate - बी. एस. आंबेकर — 588/2024

Case under Maharashtra Prohibition Act Section 65(e). Disposed: Contested--ACQUITTED on 23rd April 2026.

Case disposed

S.C.C. - Summons/Summary Criminal Case

CNR: MHKO170008752024

Filing Number

730/2024

Filing Date

12-Jul-2024

Registration No

588/2024

Registration Date

12-Jul-2024

Court

Civil and Criminal Court , Panhala

Judge

3-Joint C.J.J.D. and J.M.F.C. Panhala

Decision Date

23-Apr-2026

Nature of Disposal

Contested--ACQUITTED

Last updated 11-May-2026

FIR Details

FIR Number

81

Police Station

Kodoli Police Station

Year

2024

Acts & Sections

Maharashtra Prohibition Act Section 65(e)

Petitioner(s)

  1. 1.State of Maharashtra

    Adv. A.P.P.

Respondent(s)

  1. 1.Vasant Shivram Sawant Advocate - बी. एस. आंबेकर

Case History

  1. Case disposedDisposed

  2. 23-Apr-2026

    Copy of JudgmentView PDF

    Summary The Judicial Magistrate First Class, Panhala acquitted 77-year-old Vasant Shivram Sawant of charges under Section 65(e) of the Maharashtra Prohibition Act for allegedly possessing 14 bottles of country liquor. The court found that the prosecution failed to prove the seizure of contraband due to lack of independent witness corroboration, absence of chemical analysis confirming the substance was intoxicant, and insufficient evidence quality. The court emphasized that while a sole witness's testimony can be believed if trustworthy and discrepancy-free, the prosecution's failure to examine independent witnesses and provide lab reports created reasonable doubt, warranting acquittal. This case analysis is maintained by casestatus.in based on publicly available court records.

  3. 23-Apr-2026

    Disposed

    Joint C.J.J.D. and J.M.F.C. Panhala

  4. 20-Apr-2026

    Judgment

    Joint C.J.J.D. and J.M.F.C. Panhala

  5. 13-Apr-2026

    Arguments

    Joint C.J.J.D. and J.M.F.C. Panhala

  6. 07-Apr-2026

    EvidenceView PDF

  7. 07-Apr-2026

    Statement U/sec.313 Cr.P.C.

    Joint C.J.J.D. and J.M.F.C. Panhala

  8. 10-Mar-2026

    Evidence Part Heard

    Joint C.J.J.D. and J.M.F.C. Panhala

  9. 24-Feb-2026

    EvidenceView PDF

  10. 24-Feb-2026

    Hearing

    Joint C.J.J.D. and J.M.F.C. Panhala

  11. 06-Jan-2026

    Hearing

    Joint C.J.J.D. and J.M.F.C. Panhala

  12. 06-Nov-2025

    Hearing

    Joint C.J.J.D. and J.M.F.C. Panhala

  13. 18-Sep-2025

    Hearing

    Joint C.J.J.D. and J.M.F.C. Panhala

  14. 10-Jul-2025

    Hearing

    Joint C.J.J.D. and J.M.F.C. Panhala

  15. 01-Jul-2025

    Hearing

    Joint C.J.J.D. and J.M.F.C. Panhala

  16. 22-Apr-2025

    Hearing

    Joint C.J.J.D. and J.M.F.C. Panhala

  17. 25-Feb-2025

    Plea / Particulars

    Joint C.J.J.D. and J.M.F.C. Panhala

  18. 07-Dec-2024

    Plea / Particulars

    C.J.J.D. and J.M.F.C. Panhala

  19. 14-Oct-2024

    Plea / Particulars

    Joint C.J.J.D. and J.M.F.C. Panhala

  20. 23-Sep-2024

    Plea / Particulars

    Joint C.J.J.D. and J.M.F.C. Panhala

  21. 12-Jul-2024

    First hearing

    Initial hearing scheduled

  22. 12-Jul-2024

    Case filed

    Registration No. 588/2024

casestatus.in Summary

Summary The Judicial Magistrate First Class, Panhala acquitted 77-year-old Vasant Shivram Sawant of charges under Section 65(e) of the Maharashtra Prohibition Act for allegedly possessing 14 bottles of country liquor. The court found that the prosecution failed to prove the seizure of contraband due to lack of independent witness corroboration, absence of chemical analysis confirming the substance was intoxicant, and insufficient evidence quality. The court emphasized that while a sole witness's testimony can be believed if trustworthy and discrepancy-free, the prosecution's failure to examine independent witnesses and provide lab reports created reasonable doubt, warranting acquittal. This case analysis is maintained by casestatus.in based on publicly available court records.

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