Mahesh Pralhad Awate And Another v. The State Of Maharashtra

Harish

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY

CIRCUIT BENCH AT KOLHAPUR CRIMINAL APPELLATE JURISDICTION CRIMINAL BAIL APPLICATION. NO. 3523 OF 2025 HARISH VITHAL CHAUDHARI Mahesh Pralhad Awate And Another ...Applicanta

Versus

The State Of Maharashtra

...Respondent

by HARISH VITHAL CHAUDHARI Date: 2025.11.11 11:12:40 +0530 ------ Mr. Rajesh More a/w Soham Powar & Shyam Zalte for the Applicants.

Smt. P. S. Rane, APP for the State.

HC. S. T. Jadhav, Barshi Rural Police Station. ------ CORAM :

SHIVKUMAR DIGE, J.

DATE :

7th NOVEMBER, 2025 P.C.:

1.

By this application, applicants are seeking regular bail in crime no. 274 of 2025 registered with Barshi Taluka Police Station, Dist- Solapur for the offences punishable under Sections143(2), 144(2) and 3(5) of Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita, 2023 and under Sections 3, 4, 5 and 6 of Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act, 1956.

2.

It is prosecution's case that the applicants are the owner and manager of the Swaraj Lodge where they forced the victim 1 /3

for doing prostitution.

3.

It is contention of learned counsel for the applicants that the applicants are behind bar for more than 2 months. Investigation is almost completed. Hence requested to allow the application.

4.

It is contention of learned APP that the statement of the victim is recorded. She has stated that the applicants forced her for doing prostitution. Applicants are the owner and manager of the lodge where prostitution was going on. If the applicants released on bail, they may threaten the prosecution witnesses and requested to reject the application.

5.

I have heard both learned counsel, perused the FIR and documents produced on record.

6.

It appears from the record that the investigation is almost completed. Applicants are behind bar more than 2 months. Considering these facts I pass the following order :

ORDER

I.

Application is allowed.

II.

The applicants Shri. Mahesh Pralhad Awate and Shri. Nagesh Raju Hanchate be enlarged on bail in 2 /3

Crime crime no. 274 of 2025 registered with Barshi Taluka Police Station, Dist- Solapur on executing P.R.Bond in the sum of Rs.20,000/- each with one or two sureties in the like amount.

III. The applicant shall not indulge in similar nature of offences. If the applicant, indulges in such acts, it would be a ground to cancel his bail.

IV.

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

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.] 3 /3