Manjula Karanraj Mehta v. The State Of Maharashtra

1/3 Dond

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY

CRIMINAL APPELLATE JURISDICTION BAIL APPLICATION NO.1526 OF 2016 Mrs. Manjula Karanraj Mehta ...Applicant.

Vs.

The State of Maharashtra ..Respondent ----- Mr. Ajay Singh for Applicant.

Ms. R.M. Gadhvi, APP for State.

----- CORAM: A.S. GADKARI, J.

DATE : 25th August 2016.

P.C.

This is an application for regular bail under Section 439 of Cr. P.C. The applicant is accused in CR No.334 of 2016 registered with Andheri Police Station, Mumbai under Section 370(3) of the Indian Penal Code and under Section 4 and 5 of the Prevention of Immoral Trafficking Act (for short "PITA Act").

The first information report is lodged by the Police Head Constable Shri Shankar Jadhav attached to Social Services Branch. It is submitted in the said report that after receipt of confidential information, that the present applicant by using a specific mobile number is indulging

2/3 into activity of providing women for the vocation of prostitution, raid was conducted. The mobile number which was received by way of confidential information was tallied with the handset of the present applicant. Three women were found indulging into the vocation of prostitution at the instance of applicant. The said women in their statements have stated that at the instance of applicant they were indulging into the said vocation and applicant was retaining part of their income for her own benefit. The said women were major. The applicant is arrested on 15th June 2016. The Investigating Officer is not present on two consecutive dates despite intimation given by the office of the Public Prosecutor, High Court, Mumbai.

I have perused the documents annexed to the application. It appears from the said documents that the role attributed to the applicant is of an agent in the vocation of prostitution which has attracted the provisions of the Prevention of Immoral Trafficking Act. The applicant is a lady and is in jail since 15th June 2016. No further purpose will be served in detaining the applicant in jail custody. In view of the above, the applicant is entitled to be released on bail.

Hence, the following Order:

(i) The applicant be released on bail in CR No.334 of 2016

3/3 registered with Andheri Police Station, Mumbai on her furnishing PR bond of Rs.20,000/- with one or two solvent local sureties in the like amount.

(ii) After her release from the jail, the applicant shall attend the Andheri Police Station once in month i.e. on every 1st Monday of the said month between 11.00 a.m. to 2.00 p.m. (iii) The applicant shall also attend all dates before the Trial Court.

(iv) Application is allowed in the aforesaid terms. (v) All concerned to act on authenticated copy of this Order. (A.S. GADKARI,J.)