Pandurang Sudam Shelar v. State Of Maharashtra And ANR

19-APEALST18625-2024.DOC Santosh

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY

CRIMINAL APPELLATE JURISDICTION CRIMINAL APPEAL (ST) NO. 18625 OF 2024 WITH INTERIM APPLICATION NO. 3821 OF 2024 WITH INTERIM APPLICATION NO. 3822 OF 2024 Pandurang Sudam Shelar ...Appellant

Versus

State Of Maharashtra And Anr.

...Respondents

None for the Appellant.

Ms. Rashmi Tendulkar, APP for the State - Respondent No.1. Ms. Disha Nidre, for Respondent No.2.

SANTOSH SUBHASH KULKARNI SANTOSH SUBHASH KULKARNI Date: 2026.06.12 20:14:49 +0530

CORAM:

N. J. JAMADAR, J.

DATED:

12th JUNE, 2026 Oral Order:- IA/3821/2024 1.

Perused the application.

2.

Heard the learned Counsel for the respondent. 3.

This is an application for condonation of 129 days delay in preferring the appeal against the judgment and order dated 21st February, 2024 in Special Case No.124/2021, whereby the appellant has been convicted for the offences punishable under Section 376 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860 ("the Penal Code") and Section 6 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences 1/2

19-APEALST18625-2024.DOC Act, 2012 ("the POCSO Act, 2012") and Section 3(1)(w) of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989.

4.

For the major offence punishable under Section 6 of the POCSO Act, 2012, the applicant has been sentenced to suffer rigorous imprisonment for a term of 20 years. 5.

In the application the applicant has averred that as the applicant has been in custody, he could not take steps to file the appeal within the stipulated period.

6.

The record reveals that the applicant has been in custody since 10th January, 2021. The reasons ascribed in the application for condonation of delay are justifiable. Hence, the application for condonation of delay deserves to be allowed. 7.

Hence, the following order:

: O R D E R :

(i) The application stands allowed.

(ii) The delay in preferring the appeal stands condoned. (iii) The appeal be numbered and listed for admission after four weeks.

[N. J. JAMADAR, J.] 2/2