Ramakant Shivajirao Ghatge v. The State Of Maharashtra

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY

CRIMINAL APPELLATE JURISDICTION WRIT PETITION NO. 3293 OF 2025 LAXMI SUBHASH SONTAKKE Ramakant S. Ghatge .. Petitioner LAXMI SUBHASH SONTAKKE Date: 2025.07.21 18:53:41 +0530

Versus

The State of Maharashtra .. Respondent Mr. Prashant Aher for the Petitioner.

Mr. S. V. Gavand, APP for the Respondent-State. CORAM: RAVINDRA V. GHUGE & GAUTAM A. ANKHAD, JJ.

DATE:

JULY 17, 2025 P. C.

1.

This matter was on board on 14th July, 2025 at serial No. 68 and thereafter it was listed on this date.

2.

The learned APP is instructed to inform the Court that an FIR on the compliant of the Petitioner dated 14th May, 2025 has been registered as bearing No. 120/2025 on 16th July, 2025 at Pusegaon Police Station, Satara. 1/3

3.

The learned Advocate appearing for the Petitioner submits that valuable time for investigation has been lost only because of the apathy of the S.H.O. of the Pusegaon Police Station. The complaint was lodged on the date of the incident. Since 14th May, 2025, the S.H.O. did not registered an FIR. After this matter was circulated, an FIR was registered belatedly on 16th July, 2025. Reliance is placed on Lalita Kumari Vs. State of Uttar Pradesh [2014(2) SSC 1].

4.

The Petitioner had approached this Court with the prayer that an FIR be registered and the same has been done. However, we direct the I.O. to ensure that a proper and expeditious investigation shall be carried out strictly in accordance with the provisions of law.

5.

We direct the District Superintendent of Police, Satara to call for an explanation from the S.H.O., who is responsible for not registering an FIR. Such explanation would be sought within a period of 15 days. After the explanation is tendered, the S.P. would deal with the case strictly in accordance with the provisions of law. A compliance report be tendered before the Court on 10th November, 2020.

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6.

With the above observations and directions, this Petition is disposed off.

[ GAUTAM A. ANKHAD, J.] [RAVINDRA V. GHUGE, J.] 3/3