Keshav Laxman Rathod v. The State Of Maharashtra And Another

1 908ABA1614.2025.odt

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY

BENCH AT AURANGABAD.

908 ANTICIPATORY BAIL APPLICATION NO. 1614 OF 2025 Keshav Laxman Rathod

VERSUS

The State Of Maharashtra And Another ...

Mr. N. B. Khandare, Sr. Advocate i/b Mr. D. J. Choudhary - Advocate for Applicant Mr. M. K. Goyanka - APP for the State ...

CORAM : NEERAJ P. DHOTE, J.

DATED : 20TH SEPTEMBER, 2025 PER COURT : - 1.

Heard Mr. N. B. Khandare, learned Senior Advocate instructed by Mr. D. J. Choudhary for the Applicant and Mr. M. K. Goyanka, learned APP for the State. Perused the papers on record. 2.

The Applicant, who is apprehending arrest in connection with Crime No. 0471 of 2025, registered with Udgir Rural Police Station, District Latur, for offences punishable under Sections 115(2), 118(1), 123, 3(5), 351(2), 351(3), 64(1), 64(2), 64(2)(f) and 8 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, and Sections 4, 6 and 8 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012, has approached this Court by filing the present Application for Anticipatory Bail. 3.

The report is lodged by the daughter-in-law of the

2 908ABA1614.2025.odt Applicant. The Informant has two children born out of wedlock. The boy is aged 16 years, and the girl is aged 9 years and 7 months. It is the case of the Prosecution that, from 24.08.2024 till 29.08.2024, the minor daughter i.e. the Victim was sexually assaulted by the FIR-named Accused including the Applicant. As per the Informant, on 29.08.2024, when she returned home after the workshop, she saw the victim in an unwell state of health. The victim was taken to the hospital where she was informed that the Victim was sexually assaulted. On inquiry with the Victim, she told that she was sexually assaulted by the FIR-named accused. According to the Victim, the Applicant, who is her grandfather, aged about 75 years, touched her private part with stick and also committed sexual intercourse with her.

4.

The report is lodged after a period of eleven (11) months. The FIR shows that the Informant along with her family was residing separately near the house of her in-laws as her relations with the in-laws were not cordial. The Applicant is the father-in-law of the Informant. Considering these aspects, the possibility of false implication cannot be ruled out. Thus, I am inclined to protect the Applicant. Hence, the following order.

ORDER

[i] Till the application is heard after the report is filed by the State, in the event of arrest of the Applicant, namely,

3 908ABA1614.2025.odt Keshav Laxman Rathod, in connection with Crime No. 0471 of 2025, registered with Udgir Rural Police Station, District Latur, for offences punishable under Sections 115(2), 118(1), 123, 3(5), 351(2), 351(3), 64(1), 64(2), 64(2)(f) and 8 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, and Sections 4, 6 and 8 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012, he be released on bail on his furnishing P.B. of Rs. 15,000/- [Rupees Fifteen Thousand] with one surety in the like amount.

[ii] Issue notice to the Respondent/s, returnable on 6 th October, 2025. Learned APP waives service of notice for the State. [NEERAJ P. DHOTE] JUDGE SG Punde Signed by: Sandeep Gulabrao Punde Designation: PS To Honourable Judge Date: 20/09/2025 14:21:46