Sunil Shamrao Chougule v. State Of Maharashtra And ANR

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY CRIMINAL APPELLATE SIDE JURISDICTION CRIMINAL APPEAL NO. 94 OF 2025 Sunil Shamrao Chougule .... Appellant

Versus

The State of Maharashtra and Anr.

.... Respondents ----- Mr. Ashok Mundargi, Senior Counsel a/w Adv. Meghdeep Oak, Advocate for the Appellant.

Mr. Kiran C. Shinde, APP, for the Respondent - State. Ms. Gayatri Gokhalef a/w Mr. Aakash Desai, Advocate for Respondent No.2.

Mr. Chetan Mane, API, Vishrambaug Police Station - Present. ----- CORAM : SHIVKUMAR DIGE, J.

by SHANTANU SHANKARSA DHUDUM Date:

2025.04.03 10:48:39 +0530 SHANTANU SHANKARSA DHUDUM DATE : 28th MARCH, 2025.

P.C. :

1.

Heard learned senior counsel for the Appellant, learned APP for the State and learned counsel for Respondent No.2. 2.

Learned counsel for Respondent No.2 seeks time to file reply.

3.

The Appellant apprehends arrest in Crime No.1 of 2025 registered with Vishrambaug Police Station, Sangli, for the offences punishable under Sections 108 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and Shantanu S. Dhudum 1/3

under Section 3(2)(v) of the Schedule Caste and Schedule Tribes Act.

4.

It is prosecution's case that the Appellant and deceased were working in same Government Office. The Appellant would harass the deceased on his cast and taunting him repeatedly. Due to continuous harassment by the Appellant, the deceased has committed suicide. The deceased was husband of the first informant. It is alleged that the deceased had previously filed police complaint against the Appellant.

5.

It is contention of learned seniour counsel for the Appellant that the deceased had stopped going to the office in the month of July 2024, and deceased he has committed suicide on 5th December, 2024. Therefore, it cannot be considered as abetment to the suicide of the deceased. The Appellant is Government Employee. Hence, requested to grant the interim protection. 6.

Learned APP and learned counsel for Respondent No.2 strongly objected for granting interim relief on the ground that, due to harassment by the Appellant, the deceased has committed suicide. The deceased had previously filed a complaint against the Appellant and had circulated videos mentioning the harassment by the Shantanu S. Dhudum 2/3

Appellant. Hence, requested to reject the interim protection. 7.

I have heard all learned counsel.

8.

The deceased had stopped attending the office from month of July, 2024 and he has committed suicide on 5th December, 2024. So far four months period, he was not in contact with the Appellant. Considering this facts, I pass following order:- i. In the event of arrest, the Appellant - Sunil Shamrao Chougule be released on bail in Crime No.1 of 2025 registered with Vishrambaug Police Station, Sangli, on executing P.R. Bond of Rs.25,000/- with one or two sureties in the like amount.

ii. The Appellant shall attend the concerned police station as and when required by the Investigating Officer.

9.

List the appeal on 23rd April, 2025.

( SHIVKUMAR DIGE, J.) Shantanu S. Dhudum 3/3