Altaf Kamruddin Shaikh v. The State Of Maharashtra

Sneha N.

Chavan

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY

CRIMINAL APPELLATE JURISDICTION Sneha N. Chavan Date: 2020.10.26 19:10:19 +0530 CRIMINAL BAIL APPLICATION NO. 618 OF 2020 Altaf Kamruddin Shaikh .. Applicant V/s.

The State of Maharashtra ..Respondent ---- Mr. Kedar Lad for the Applicant.

Mr. Arfan Sait, APP for the Respondent-State. ---- CORAM : C.V. BHADANG, J.

DATE : 26th October, 2020 (Through Video Conferencing) P.C.

1.

The Applicant (accused No.2) along with the co-accused is facing prosecution for the offence punishable under Section 370 read with Section 34 of I.P.C. and Section 3, 4, 5, 6 of the Prevention of Immoral Traffic Act, 1956.

2.

I have heard the learned Counsel for the Applicant and learned A.P.P. Perused record.

3.

It appears that a raid was conducted at Siddhivinayak Lodge on 27.11.2019 at about 6.30 p.m. The prosecution case is that the Sneha Chavan page 1 of 3

accused were conducting prostitution there. It appears that one Shashikant Dhondiba Khot, who is accused No.1 was the Manager of the said lodge, who has been granted bail by this Court (Coram: Smt. Sadhana S. Jadhav, J) on 18.08.2020 in Criminal Bail Application No. LD/VC/DIST/ BA No. 12 of 2020. A perusal of the complaint dated 27.11.2019 shows that the present Applicant was allegedly present at the said lodge.

4.

The learned Counsel for the Applicant pointed out that even going by the prosecution case, the Applicant was merely found present at the lodge, while Shashikant Khot, who was the Manager of the lodge, has been released on bail by this Court. He, therefore, seeks parity. The investigation is complete and the chargesheet is filed.

5.

On hearing the learned Counsel for the parties, I find that the Applicant would be entitled for parity, particularly when Shashikant Khot, who is stated to be the Manager of the lodge has been released on bail by this Court.

6.

In that view of the matter, the following order is passed: Sneha Chavan page 2 of 3

ORDER

i) The Applicant be released on bail on executing a PR Bond in the sum of Rs.25,000/- with one or more solvent sureties in the like amount.

ii) The Applicant shall not directly or indirectly tamper with the prosecution evidence/witnesses.

iii) Bail bonds to be furnished before the learned Sessions Judge.

iv) Criminal bail application is disposed of in the aforesaid terms.

C.V. BHADANG, J.

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