Nagpur: In a significant development in the high-profile CP Club brawl case that stirred widespread debate over law and order in Nagpur’s nightlife circuit, the District and Additional Sessions Court on Thursday granted anticipatory bail to accused Akshay Moglewar. The order came after a detailed hearing held on January 2, 2026, in connection with the alleged assault during a Christmas party at the upscale Civil Lines-based CP Club.
Moglewar was accused of injuring Sarvottam Sanjay Kothari with a glass following an altercation at the club. The incident had triggered local outrage and renewed scrutiny of repeated violent episodes at city nightclubs.
The matter was heard by the 13th Additional Sessions Judge, who observed that custodial interrogation of the accused was not necessary at this stage. After considering submissions from both sides, the court allowed the anticipatory bail application.
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Appearing for Moglewar, counsels Adv. Atharva Khadse, Adv. Amol Hunge, and Tejal Agre argued that there was no intention on the part of the accused to cause bodily harm and that no weapon was used in the alleged offence. They pointed out that the FIR itself records the offence as “hurt” and not “grievous hurt,” indicating that the injuries sustained by the complainant were simple in nature.
The defence further contended that the incident was provoked, claiming that the complainant had first slapped Moglewar and later hurled a stone at the front glass of his car while leaving the club. These actions, they argued, demonstrated aggressive conduct on the part of the complainant.
Raising questions over credibility, the defence also referred to the complainant’s alleged involvement in a 2017 NDPS case related to cocaine supply and consumption, and suggested that the present FIR was politically motivated. They criticised the police investigation as one-sided and lacking transparency.
Opposing the bail, the prosecution argued that custodial interrogation was required for mirror imaging of electronic devices. However, the defence countered that no further recovery was pending and that custody was being sought without sufficient grounds. They also highlighted that the offence carries a maximum punishment of three years, and that arrest should not be treated as automatic in such cases.
Citing settled legal principles laid down by the Supreme Court of India and the Bombay High Court, the defence emphasized that custodial interrogation must not be ordered routinely and that police are bound to follow strict guidelines before effecting arrests.
After hearing all arguments, the court agreed that the conditions for granting anticipatory bail were met and disposed of the application accordingly.
The order marks a crucial legal milestone in the CP Club assault case, which had dominated local headlines during the festive season and reignited concerns over safety and accountability in Nagpur’s nightlife spaces.
