Babita Shubhnarayan Dube v. The State Of Maharashtra
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY
CRIMINAL APPELLATE JURISDICTION CRIMINAL INTERIM APPLICATION NO. 1403 OF 2021 IN CRIMINAL APPEAL NO.457 OF 2021 Babita Shubhnarayan Dube ...Applicant
Versus
The State of Maharashtra & Anr.
...Respondents
Mr. Prabhanjay R. Dave for the Applicant Mr. S. V. Gavand, A.P.P for the Respondent No.1-State None for the Respondent No. 2 CORAM : REVATI MOHITE DERE, J.
WEDNESDAY, 16 th JUNE 2021 P.C. :
Heard learned counsel for the parties.
By this application, the applicant seeks suspension of her sentence and enlargement on bail, pending the hearing and final disposal of the appeal.
The applicant, along with other co-accused, vide judgment and order dated 30th January 2021 passed by the learned 1/4
District Judge-7 and Special Judge (POCSO), Thane, in Special Case (POCSO) No. 6 of 2018, has been convicted and sentenced as under : - for the offence punishable under Section 366-A r/w Section 34 of the Indian Penal Code, to suffer rigorous imprisonment for 5 years and to pay fine of Rs.1,000/- each, in default of payment of fine, to suffer further rigorous imprisonment for 1 month; - for the offence punishable under Section 370-A r/w Section 34 of the Indian Penal Code to suffer rigorous imprisonment for 5 years and to pay fine of Rs.1,000/- each, in default of payment of fine, to suffer further rigorous imprisonment for 1 month; Both the sentences were directed to run concurrently. The applicant has been acquitted of other offences. Learned counsel for the applicant submits that the applicant, a lady, is in custody since her arrest on 9th October 2017. He submits that the applicant has undergone about 3 years and 10 months of the imprisonment. He submits that even otherwise, the applicant has a good case on merits.
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Perused the papers. It is not in dispute that the applicant is in custody since 9th October 2017 and has undergone more than 50% of the sentence imposed on her i.e. about 3 years and 10 months. The appeal has been admitted by a separate order passed today. The sentence imposed is a short term sentence and the appeal is not likely to be heard in near future.
Accordingly, the application is allowed and the applicant's sentence is suspended and she is enlarged on bail, pending the hearing and final disposal of her appeal, on the following terms and conditions:
ORDER
i) The applicant be enlarged on bail on furnishing P.R. Bond in the sum of Rs.15,000/- with one or two local sureties in the like amount;
ii) The applicant shall report to the trial Court, once in three months on the day/date specified by the trial Court, till her appeal is finally disposed of;
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iii) The applicant shall keep the trial Court informed of her current address and mobile contact number and/or change of residence or mobile details, if any, from time to time; iv) If there are two consecutive defaults in appearing before the trial Court, the learned Judge shall make a report to the High Court and the prosecution would be at liberty to file an application seeking cancellation of applicant's bail.
The application is disposed of accordingly.
All concerned to act on the authenticated copy of this order. REVATI MOHITE DERE, J.
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