Ashok Krishna Lokare v. The State Of Maharashtra

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY

CIRCUIT BENCH AT KOLHAPUR CRIMINAL APPELLATE JURISDICTION CRIMINAL BAIL APPLICATION NO. 1279 OF 2025 Ashok Krishna Lokare ...Applicant

Versus

The State Of Maharashtra

...Respondent

Mr. Pratik G. Tare a/w Sachin Y. Mane & Vaishnavi Swami Advocate for the Applicant.

Mr. S. S. Chaudhari, APP for the Respondent-State. HC R. R. Jadhav Murgud Police Station.

CORAM

:

SHIVKUMAR DIGE, J.

DATE :

17th NOVEMBER, 2025.

IRESH MASHAL P.C.

by IRESH MASHAL Date:

2025.11.18 15:51:00 +0530 1.

By this application, applicant is seeking regular bail in C.R. No. 86 of 2022 registered with Murgad Police Station, District Kolhapur for offences punishable under Sections 376(2)(f),(l),(n) and 506 of the Indian Penal Code.

2.

It is the prosecution's case that on 11th May 2022 at around 7.15 a.m., applicant sexually assaulted niece of the first informant. 3.

It is contention of learned counsel for applicant that at the time of incident, victim was 23 years old, applicant is behind bar for more than 3 years and 5 months. Evidence of the victim has been

recorded. Victim herself had not filed the complaint before the police. It may take time to conclude the trial. Hence, requested to allow the application.

4.

It is contention of learned APP that victim is a special child. By taking undue advantage of it, applicant has sexually assaulted her. All prosecution witnesses have been examined, only Investigating Officer is yet to be examined. If applicant is released on bail, he may threaten the prosecution witnesses and requested to reject the application.

5.

I have heard both learned counsel, perused F.I.R. and documents produced on record. At the time of incident, victim was 25 years old, applicant is behind bar for more than 3 years and 5 months. Evidence of the victim is recorded by the Trial Court. 6.

Considering these facts, I pass following order:

O R D E R

I.

The Application is allowed.

II.

The Applicant be enlarged on bail in C.R. No. 86 of 2022 registered with Murgad Police Station, District Kolhapur on executing P.R.Bond in the sum of Rs. 20,000/- with one or two sureties in the like amount.

III.

The Applicant shall not tamper with the evidence or attempt to influence or contact the witnesses or any person concerned with the case.

IV.

The Applicant shall attend the Trial Court dates regularly. V.

The application is allowed in the aforesaid terms and is accordingly disposed off.

VI.

It is made clear that the above observations are made only for the purpose of granting bail and the Trial Court shall decide the case on its own merits in accordance with law and uninfluenced by the observations made in this order. 7.

All concerned to act on the authenticated copy of this order. (SHIVKUMAR DIGE, J.)