Criminal Defence & Bail —
Protecting Your Liberty
When an FIR is registered or an arrest is threatened, every hour matters. Dhende Associates provides experienced, decisive criminal defence across Pune Sessions Court, Magistrate Courts, and the Bombay High Court — applying the new Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) 2023 and Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) 2023 alongside established constitutional bail principles.
Expert Defence for Every Stage of a Criminal Matter
India's criminal justice system has undergone its most significant transformation since 1973 with the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) replacing the IPC, and the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) replacing the CrPC. We are fully updated and practising under the new framework.
⚖️ Your Constitutional Rights in a Criminal Matter
Article 21 of the Constitution guarantees the right to personal liberty. Arnesh Kumar v. State of Bihar (2014) 8 SCC 273 mandates that police follow a checklist before arresting in offences punishable up to 7 years — arrest is not automatic on FIR registration. In the event of apprhension of arreast an Anticipatory bail application can be filed under Section 484 BNSS (formerly Section 438 CrPC) to protect liberty before any arrest occurs. Section 480 BNSS (formerly Section 437, 436 CrPC) governs regular bail before Magistrate Court; Section 483 BNSS governs Regular Bail before Sessions Court or High Court.
- Immediate response to arrest or FIR — same-day consultation available on WhatsApp
- Expert anticipatory bail applications under Section 482 BNSS before Sessions Court / High Court
- Regular bail applications at all stages — Magistrate, Sessions Court, Bombay High Court
- FIR quashing petitions under Section 528 BNSS before Bombay High Court
- Trial defence — charge framing, examination, cross-examination, closing arguments
- Revision, appeal, and discharge applications at appropriate forums
- Expert knowledge of BNSS timelines — chargesheet within 60/90 days, default bail rights
- Anticipatory bail drafting with specific conditions — travel, surrender, cooperation clauses
Comprehensive Criminal Defence
From the moment an FIR is registered to the final verdict — and every appeal beyond — Dhende Associates provides complete criminal defence across all offence categories.
Anticipatory Bail (Section 482 BNSS)
Where arrest is apprehended, an anticipatory bail application before the Sessions Court or High Court can protect your liberty before any arrest occurs. We draft comprehensive applications addressing all three Gurbaksh Singh Sibbia conditions — specific apprehension, nature of offence, and conduct of the accused.
Regular Bail (Sections 480, 483 BNSS)
For persons already arrested and in custody, bail applications before the Magistrate, Sessions Court, or Bombay High Court. We address the trinity test — nature and gravity of offence, likelihood of abscondence, and possibility of tampering with evidence — head on.
Default Bail (Section 187 BNSS)
A constitutionally protected indefeasible right under BNSS Section 187 — if chargesheet is not filed within 90 days (where Investigation relates to offense punishable with death, imprisonment for life or imprisonment for term of 10 years or more ) or 60 days (any other case), the accused is entitled to bail as a matter of right. We monitor timelines and move instantly when the deadline passes.
FIR Quashing (Section 528 BNSS)
Where an FIR is malicious, motivated, or the allegations even if taken at face value do not disclose a cognisable offence, we file a quashing petition before the Bombay High Court under its inherent jurisdiction — citing Bhajan Lal guidelines and current High Court precedents.
Criminal Trial Defence
From the first hearing to the final verdict, we provide complete trial representation — charge framing, witness examination and cross-examination, documentary evidence, expert evidence, written submissions on conviction, and mitigation arguments at sentencing stage.
Cheque Dishonour — NI Act Section 138
Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act remains one of the most commonly litigated criminal matters in India. We represent both complainants and accused in Section 138 proceedings, including compounding applications, summary trial defence, and revision petitions.
Police Inaction — Section 175(3) BNSS
Where police refuse to register an FIR or investigate, the Judicial Magistrate can be approached under Section 175(3) BNSS (formerly Section 156(3) CrPC) for a direction to register and investigate. We also file RTI applications and SPB complaints as part of a multi-track strategy.
Criminal Revision & Appeal
Against conviction, acquittal, bail refusal, or quantum of sentence — revision applications before Sessions Court and criminal appeals before the Bombay High Court. We analyse trial records and identify reversible errors in law and procedure to build the strongest appellate case.
Types of Bail — Know Your Rights
The Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) 2023 governs all bail proceedings. Here is a clear guide to the type of bail relevant to your situation.
| Type of Bail | BNSS Section | Forum | When to Apply | Key Consideration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anticipatory Bail | Section 482 | Sessions Court / High Court | Before arrest — when arrest is apprehended | Must show specific apprehension of arrest; court may impose conditions including reporting, travel restrictions, or surrender of passport. |
| Interim Bail | Section 482(1) proviso | Sessions Court / High Court | Pending hearing of anticipatory bail | May be granted ex-parte for short periods. We apply for interim protection simultaneously with the main bail application. |
| Regular Bail | Section 480 Before Magistrate Court / Section 483 Before Sessions or High Court | Magistrate / Sessions Court | After arrest and remand to custody | For non-bailable offences, court applies the trinity test. Prior conduct, flight risk, and evidence tampering are assessed. |
| Default Bail / Statutory Bail | Section 187(2) | Magistrate / Sessions Court | After 60/90 days in custody without chargesheet | An indefeasible right — cannot be denied if chargesheet is not filed in time. Diligent tracking of remand dates is essential. |
| Bail in Bailable Offence | Section 479 | Police Station/Magistrate | At time of arrest or remand | In bailable offences, bail is a right — not a privilege. Police must release on bail or the Magistrate must grant it. |
| Bail by Magistrate Court in Special Circumstances | Section 480 proviso | Magistrate | Where accused is woman, sick or infirm, | Special protection for vulnerable accused. The proviso mandates favourable consideration. |
🚨Apprehending Arrest or Threatened by Police ? Act Immediately.
An anticipatory bail application can be heard on the same day in urgent cases. Do not wait — call or WhatsApp us right now.
Our Criminal Defence Process
From the first call to case resolution — a structured, transparent process designed to protect your interests at every stage.
Emergency Assessment
Send FIR copy, arrest warrant, or case details on WhatsApp. We assess charges, applicable BNS sections, bailable/non-bailable status, and bail eligibility within hours.
Strategy Planning
We advise on the best route — anticipatory bail, regular bail, FIR quashing, or full trial defence — with honest assessment of prospects and risks at each forum.
Application Drafting
Precise bail application citing applicable BNSS sections, relevant Supreme Court / Bombay HC precedents, personal circumstances, and proposed conditions to address court concerns.
Filing & Hearing
Urgent filing before Sessions Court or Bombay High Court. Strong oral arguments addressing prosecution contentions, proposed bail conditions, and case specifics.
Documents for Bail Applications
Assembling the right documents quickly is critical in criminal matters. Here is what is needed for each type of application.
🛡️ Anticipatory Bail Application
- Copy of FIR (if registered)
- Any notices, summons, or communications from Police
- Identity and address proof of the applicant (Aadhaar/passport/driving licence)
- Proof of permanent address / residential stability (property documents, rent agreement)
- Proof of occupation / employment (appointment letter, business registration)
🔑 Regular Bail Application
- Certified copies of Custody remand order and current place of detention
- Copy of FIR and any chargesheet filed (if available)
- Identity and address proof
- Medical documents if special grounds (illness, age, pregnancy) are pleaded
- Proof of employment or business and family dependants
- Surety person standing as guarantor in court his documents — Ration card, Aadhar Card, Salary slip or property papers showing surety's ownership for property surety
- Any co-accused regular or anticipatory bail orders that can be cited in your favour
Criminal Defence You Can Rely On
Criminal matters demand experience, speed, and precision. Here is what sets our criminal law practice apart in Pune.
Same-Day Bail Response
We assess urgency and can file anticipatory or interim bail applications the same day. In criminal matters, speed is not a luxury — it determines whether liberty is protected or surrendered.
BNS / BNSS 2023 Specialists
Fully updated on the new criminal law framework applicable from 1 July 2024. We understand which offences carry what sentence, which are bailable, and what the new BNSS bail standards require.
Bombay High Court Access
Where Sessions Court bail is rejected, we move the Bombay High Court immediately — with strong written arguments addressing the lower court's reasoning and distinguishing adverse precedents.
Precise Legal Arguments
Our bail applications cite case-specific facts with exact Supreme Court and Bombay HC precedents — not generic templates. Courts notice the difference, and it impacts outcomes.
Complete Confidentiality
All criminal consultations are strictly confidential and legally privileged. We understand the sensitivity of criminal matters and maintain absolute discretion at every stage.
Honest Assessment
We provide an honest, frank assessment of your matter — not false reassurance. You know exactly what to expect, what the risks are, and what strategy gives you the best chance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Facing a criminal matter? Here are answers to the most common questions we receive from clients. For anything specific, call or WhatsApp us directly.
Get Urgent Legal Help
Criminal matters cannot wait. Share your case details on WhatsApp right now for an immediate assessment. We are available Monday–Saturday, 9 AM to 9 PM, and respond to genuinely urgent criminal matters promptly.
Office Hours
Monday – Saturday · 9:00 AM – 9:00 PMCriminal Case Enquiry
🔒 Strictly confidential. All consultations are legally privileged.
✅ Enquiry Received
We will respond within 2 hours. For truly urgent matters, please WhatsApp directly: +91 8149135283