Santosh @ Bhau Chandrakant Sonawane v. The State Of Maharashtra

(10)APPANo.16622017

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY

CRIMINAL APPELLATE JURISDICTION CRIMINAL APPLICATION NO.1662 OF 2017 IN CRIMINAL APPEAL NO.1017 OF 2017 Santosh @ Bhau Chandrakant Sonawane ...

Applicant V/s.

The State of Maharashtra ...

Respondent .....

Mr.V.S.Talkute, Advocate for the Applicant.

Mr.Prashant Jadhav, APP for the Respondent/State. ....

CORAM : A.M.BADAR J.

DATED : 11th DECEMBER 2017.

P.C. :

This is an application for suspension of sentence and releasing the applicant/accused on bail during pendency of the appeal filed by him.

The applicant/accused is convicted for offences punishable under Section 7 read with 8 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012 (hereinafter referred to as "POCSO Act" for the sake of brevity) by the learned Additional Sessions Judge, Satara and he is sentenced to suffer rigorous imprisonment for four years apart from directing him to pay fine Gaikwad RD 1/2

(10)APPANo.16622017 of Rs.3000/- and in default of payment of fine to further undergo simple imprisonment for three months.

Heard the learned Advocate appearing for the applicant/accused as well as the learned Additional Public Prosecutor appearing for the respondent/State. Perused the impugned Judgment and Order of conviction.

Short sentence is imposed on the applicant/accused and the appeal is not likely to be heard in near future. Therefore, the Order :

(i) The application is allowed.

(ii) The substantive sentence of imprisonment imposed on the applicant/accused is suspended and he is directed to be released on bail on his executing P.R.Bond in the sum of Rs.15,000/- and on furnishing surety in the like amount.

(A.M.BADAR J.) Gaikwad RD 2/2