Omkar Krushnath Katre v. The State Of Maharashtra

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY

CIRCUIT BENCH AT KOLHAPUR CRIMINAL APPELLATE JURISDICTION CRIMINAL BAIL APPLICATION NO. 3383 OF 2025 Omkar Krushnath Katre ...Applicant

Versus

The State of Maharashtra and Anr.

...Respondents

.....

Mr. Rahul R. Pawar a/w Ms. Mayuri P. Powar i/by Mr. Datta Pawar for Applicant.

Mr. N. B. Patil, APP for the Respondents-State. .....

CORAM

:

SHIVKUMAR DIGE, J.

DATE :

1st OCTOBER 2025 P.C.

1.

By this application, applicant is seeking regular bail in Crime No.208 of 2025 registered with Gokul Shirgaon Police Station, District : Kolhapur for the offences punishable under Sections 143, 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 (for short "BNS") and Sections 3, 4 & 5 of the immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act, 1956 ( for short "PITA Act").

2.

It is prosecution's case that on secret information, the police raided on the Poison Lodge on 30th May, 2025. In the said raid, Police found that prostitution was going on the said lodge. It is Digitally signed by SAJAKALI LIYAKAT JAMADAR Date:

2025.10.07 11:17:14 +0530 SAJAKALI LIYAKAT JAMADAR

alleged that the applicant was acting as agent by taking amount from the customer and he was providing victims for prostitution. 3.

It is contention of learned counsel for applicant that applicant is behind bar for more than four months. Investigation is completed and charge-sheet has been filed. All victims are major. Hence, requested to allow the application.

4.

It is contention of learned APP that applicant was providing the victims to customer for prostitution by taking amount from them. The statement of victims have been recorded. In the said statement they have specifically told about the name of the applicant. The applicant was caught red-hand when raid was conducted. The applicant has antecedent under Section 380 of Indian Penal Code. Section 143 of BNS is applied against the applicant and minimum punishment is 10 years. Hence, requested to reject the application. 5.

I have heard both learned counsels, perused the FIR and documents produced on record. The allegations against the applicant that he was taking amount from the customer and providing victims for prostitution. He was acting as agent. The applicant is behind bar for more than four months. Investigation is completed and chargesheet has been filed. There is no progress in trial. Considering these facts, I pass the following order :

ORDER

(i) Application is allowed;

(ii) The applicant be enlarged on bail in Crime No.208 of 2025 registered with Gokul Shirgaon 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 shall not attempt to influence or contact the victims or any prosecution witnesses or any person concerned with the case.

(iv) Applicant shall attend the Trial Court dates, regularly.

6.

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

7.

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.

8.

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