Seema Vivekanand Chougule v. State Of Maharashtra And Another

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY

CIRCUIT BENCH AT KOLHAPUR CRIMINAL APPELLATE JURISDICTION CRIMINAL BAIL APPLICATION NO. 3548 OF 2025 Seema Vivekanand Chougule ...Applicant

Versus

The State of Maharashtra and Another

...Respondents

.....

Mr. Umesh Pawar, Advocate for Applicant.

Mr. Anand Subhash Shalgaonkar, APP for the Respondent-State. .....

CORAM

:

SHIVKUMAR DIGE, J.

DATE :

18th DECEMBER, 2025 P.C.

1.

By this application, applicant is seeking regular bail in Crime No.249 of 2025 registered with Vishrambag Police Station, District Sangli for the offences punishable under Sections 143(1)(f), 143(4), 143(5), 64(1), 64(2)(m) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 and Sections 3, 4, 5 & 6 of the Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act, 1956 and Sections 4, 5(j)(2), 5(l), 6, 8, 12 & 17 of the Protection of Children From Sexual Offences Act, 2012.

2.

It is prosecution's case that on 9th July 2025, on secret information, police raided on one house and they found that prostitution was going on in that house. The police rescued victims. Digitally signed by SAJAKALI LIYAKAT JAMADAR Date:

2025.12.22 11:35:15 +0530 SAJAKALI LIYAKAT JAMADAR

It is alleged that the applicant sublet her house for doing the prostitution.

3.

It is contention of learned counsel for applicant that the applicant is behind bar for more than five months. She had no antecedents. She had not sublet her house for prostitution. The applicant is not the owner of property, where prostitution was going on. The applicant is a lady. Investigation is completed and chargesheet has been filed. Hence, requested to allow the application. 4.

It is contention of learned APP that the house, where prostitution was going on belongs to the applicant. If applicant is released on bail, she may abscond or threaten the victims or prosecution witnesses. Hence, requested to reject the application. 5.

I have heard both the learned counsels, perused the FIR and documents placed on record. The allegations against the applicant are that she sublet her house for doing prostitution, whereas the contention of learned counsel for the applicant that the said property does not belongs to the applicant. To prove the rival contentions, evidence is required. The applicant is behind bar for more than five months. She is a lady. She has no antecedents. Considering these facts, her further detention is not required and I pass the following order :

ORDER

(i) Application is allowed;

(ii) The applicant be enlarged on bail in Crime No.249 of 2025 registered with Vishrambag Police Station, District Sangli, 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 victims, witnesses or any person concerned with the case. (iv) The 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.)