Sonali Shashikant Patil v. State Of Maharashtra

PMB

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY

CRIMINAL APPELLATE JURISDICTION BAIL APPLICATION NO.3931 OF 2022 Digitally signed by PRADNYA MAKARAND BHOGALE Date:

2023.01.06 15:44:19 +0530 SONALI SHASHIKANT PATIL ..APPLICANT VS.

THE STATE OF MAHARASHTRA ..RESPONDENT ------------ Mr. Hrishikesh Sopan Shinde for applicant.

Mr. S. V. Gavand, APP for State.

PRADNYA MAKARAND BHOGALE ------------ CORAM : M. S. KARNIK, J.

DATE : JANUARY 5, 2023.

P.C. :

1.

Heard learned counsel for the applicant and learned APP for the State.

2.

This is an application for bail in respect of the C.R. No.388 of 2022 dated 03/08/2022 registered with Vijapur Naka Police Station, Solapur for the offence punishable under Section 370-A(2) of the Indian Penal Code, 1860 and under Sections 3, 4, 5 and 6 of the Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act, 1956.

3.

It is alleged that the applicant incited the victim for prostitution. The police team sent decoy customer who interacted with the applicant whereupon she had introduced

the victim to the decoy customer. The applicant called the victim to her home for facilitating the prostitution. The statement of the victim under Section 164 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 was recorded. She is not supporting the case of the prosecution. There are no criminal antecedents reported against the applicant. 4.

Learned counsel for the applicant submitted that though on the previous occasion the applicant herself was a victim but he does not have any material to support this contention. Be that as it may, there are no criminal antecedents reported against the applicant and Section 164 statement of the victim does not support the prosecution. The applicant is in custody since 03/08/2022. The chargesheet has been filed and the investigation is complete. No purpose will be served by prolonging the custody of the applicant. The applicant has roots in Solapur and she is a mother of two children. The applicant lost her husband on 27/12/2022.

5.

Taking an overall view of the matter, the applicant can be released on bail. Hence, the following order :-

O R D E R

(a) The application is allowed.

(b) The applicant-Sonali Shashikant Patil in connection with C.R. No.388 of 2022 registered with Vijapur Naka Police Station, Solapur, shall be released on bail on her furnishing P.R. bond in the sum of Rs.25,000/- with one or more sureties in the like amount.

(c) The applicant shall not directly or indirectly make any inducement, threat or promise to any person acquainted with facts of case so as to dissuade him from disclosing the facts to Court or any Police Officer. The applicant should not tamper with evidence. (d) On being released on bail, the applicant shall furnish her contact number and residential address to the Investigating Officer of the concerned Police Station and shall keep him updated, if there is any change.

(e) The applicant shall attend the concerned Police Station as and when called.

4.

The Bail Application is disposed of.

(M. S. KARNIK, J.)