Ravi Bhaskar Babar v. The State Of Maharashtra And Other

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY CIRCUIT BENCH AT KOLHAPUR CRIMINAL APPELLATE JURISDICTION CRIMINAL BAIL APPLICATION NO. 3382 OF 2025 Ravi Bhaskar Babar .... Applicant

Versus

The State of Maharashtra and Ors.

.... Respondents ----- Mr. Adhik Kadam and Mr. Vishwajeet Babar, Advocate for the Applicant.

Mr. N. B. Patil, A.P.P., for the Respondent - State. Adv. Kalebag Pushpanjail, Advocate for Respondent No.2. PSI S. N. More, Pandharpur Rural Police Station - present. ----- CORAM : SHIVKUMAR DIGE, J.

Digitally signed by SHANTANU SHANKARSA DHUDUM Date:

2025.11.04 18:02:34 +0530 SHANTANU SHANKARSA DHUDUM DATE : 3rd NOVEMBER, 2025.

P.C. :

1.

By this application, the Applicant is seeking regular bail in connection with C.R. No.132 of 2023 registered with Pandharpur Rural Police Station, for the offences punishable under Sections 363, 366A, 376(3), 376(2)(n) of the Indian Penal Code, 1860 (for short, "IPC") and Sections 4, 6, 8 and 12 read with Section 42 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012 (for short, "POCSO Act").

Shantanu S. Dhudum 1/4

2.

It is prosecution's case that the Applicant kidnapped the victim, married her and impregnated her. At the time of incident, the victim was fifteen years and three months old. 3.

It is contention of learned counsel for the Applicant that there was love affair between the Applicant and victim. Victim herself had gone with the Applicant. She has stated before the learned Magistrate while recording statement under Section 164 of the Cr.P.C. that she had herself gone with the Applicant. The Applicant is behind bar for around one year and seven months. There is no progress in the trial. It may take time to conclude the trial. At the time of incident, the Applicant was nineteen years old. Hence, requested to allow the application.

4.

It is contention of learned APP along with learned counsel for the Respondent No.2 that the Applicant kidnapped the victim. Despite being aware about the age of the victim, the Applicant married with her and sexually assaulted her. If the Applicant is released on bail, he may threaten the prosecution witnesses, and requested to reject the application.

5.

I have heard all learned counsel, perused F.I.R. and documents produced on record.

Shantanu S. Dhudum 2/4

6.

Perused the statement given by the victim before the learned Judicial Magistrate First Class, Pandharpur. It appears that in the said statement, she has stated that she had herself gone with the Applicant and had love affair with him. At the time of incident, the Applicant was nineteen years old whereas the victim was more than fifteen years old. Investigation is completed and charge-sheet has been filed. The Applicant is behind bar for more than one year and seven months. There is no progress in the trial. It may take time to conclude the trial, and I pass following order:

ORDER

i. Application is allowed.

ii. The Applicant be released on bail in connection with C.R. No.132 of 2023 registered with Pandharpur Rural Police Station, on furnishing P.R. Bond in the sum of Rs.25,000/- with one or two sureties in the like amount.

iii. The Applicant shall attend the concerned police station as and when required.

iv. The Applicant shall remain present before the trial Court on each date unless exempted by the Trial Shantanu S. Dhudum 3/4

Court.

7.

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

8.

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.

9.

All concerned to act on the authenticated copy of this order. ( SHIVKUMAR DIGE, J.) Shantanu S. Dhudum 4/4