Abhijit Gopal Gadage v. The State Of Maharashtra
2023:BHC-AS:23881
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY
CRIMINAL APPELLATE JURISDICTION BAIL APPLICATION NO. 169 OF 2023 Abhijit Gopal Gadage ..Applicant VS.
The State of Maharashtra ..Respondent ------------ Mr. Priyal G. Sarda for the Applicant.
Mr. P.H. Gaikwad, APP for the State.
------------ CORAM : M. S. KARNIK, J.
DATE : AUGUST 22, 2023 P.C. :
1.
Heard learned counsel for the applicant and learned APP for the State.
2.
This is an application for bail filed by the applicant in connection with C.R. No.434 of 2022 is registered with Vijapur Naka Police Station, Solapur for the offence punishable under Section 370-A(2) of the Indian Penal Code, 1860 and under Sections 3, 4, 5 and 6 of Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act.
3.
The applicant is the grandson of one of the co-accused Hirabai Sawant. The first informant viz. Police Naik-Seema Shridhar Khogre along with other police personnel received 1/3
some information regarding an illegal prostitution racket being carried out behind Mohite Nagar, Solapur. A raid was conducted on the said premises at 1.35 p.m. on 30.08.2022. Two victims were rescued. The statements of the victims at page 42 and 43 of the paper book would reveal that there was no force exerted on them to indulge in this activity. The allegations are mainly against the grandmother of the applicant, that is co-accused Hirabai. There is no allegation that it is the applicant who had contacted the victims and procured their presence at the place where they were found at the time of raid. The main accused-Hirabai was instrumental in procuring the presence of the victims and was present at the time of raid. The applicant is in custody from 30.08.2022 for almost a period of more than 11 months.
The trial is not likely to commence any time soon. There are no criminal antecedents reported against the applicant. The chargesheet has been filed. The investigation is complete. The applicant does not appear to be a flight risk. The applicant is therefore enlarged on bail.
O R D E R
(i) The application is allowed.
(ii) The applicant - Abhijit Gopal Gadage in connection with C.R. No.434 of 2022 registered with Vijapur Naka Police Station, Solapur shall be released on bail on furnishing P.R. bond in the sum of Rs.15,000/- with one or more sureties in the like amount.
(iii) The applicant shall report to the Vijapur Naka Police Station, Solapur on the first and third Monday of every month between 11.00 a.m. and 1.00 p.m. (iv) The applicant shall not directly or indirectly make any inducement, threat or promise to any person acquainted with facts of case so as to dissuade him from disclosing the facts to Court or any Police Officer. The applicant should not tamper with evidence. (v) On being released on bail, the applicant shall furnish his contact number and residential address to the Investigating Officer of the concerned Police Station and shall keep him updated, if there is any change.
4.
The application is disposed of.
(M. S. KARNIK, J.) 3/3 Signed by: Pradnya Bhogale Designation: PA To Honourable Judge Date: 22/08/2023 17:09:33