William Johnson Peter v. The State Of Maharashtra And ANR
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY CRIMINAL APPELLATE JURISDICTION CRIMINAL BAIL APPLICATION NO. 2092 OF 2025 William Johnson Peter ... Applicant
Versus
The State of Maharashtra & Anr.
... Respondents ________________________________________________________ by NILAM SANTOSH KAMBLE Date:
2026.02.06 11:04:05 +0530 NILAM SANTOSH KAMBLE Mr.Siddhant H. Deshpande a/w Mr.Abhishek R. Avachat i/b Mr.Rahul Nair, for the Applicant.
Mr.P.P. Jadhav , APP for Respondent-State.
Mr.Pratik Deshmukh, Appointed Advocate for Respondent No.2. ________________________________________________________ CORAM : SHIVKUMAR DIGE, J.
DATE : 4th FEBRUARY 2026 P.C. :
.
By this Application, the Applicant is seeking regular bail in Crime No.266 of 2024 registered with Haveli Police Station, Pune, for the offences punishable under Section 78 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 ('BNS' for short) and Sections 8 and 12 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012 ('POCSO' for short). 2.
It is prosecution's case that on 29th November 2024, around 9.00 p.m., when victim had gone to take walk after meal, Applicant
stopped her and behaved in the manner which caused shame to the First Informant, who is minor.
3.
It is contention of learned counsel for the Applicant that the Applicant is behind bars for more than one year. There is no progress in trial. There are no allegations against the Applicant of touching to the victim. There is allegation of stalking, and requested to allow the Application.
4.
It is contention of learned APP along with learned counsel for Respondent No.2 that victim had earlier filed complaint against the Applicant. In spite of that, the Applicant stalked the First Informant and harassed her. The victim is minor. If the Applicant released on bail, he may abscond or threaten victim and prosecution witnesses, and requested to reject the Application.
5.
I have heard all learned counsel. Perused charge-sheet and documents produced on record.
6.
The Applicant is behind bars for more than one year. There is no progress in trial. The allegation against the Applicant is of stalking the victim.
7.
Considering these facts, I pass following order.
ORDER
(i) The Applicant-William Johnson Peter be released on bail in Crime No.266 of 2024 registered with Haveli Police Station, Pune, on furnishing PR bond of Rs.25,000/- with one or two solvent sureties in the like amount. (ii) The Applicant shall not enter in the area where the victim stays.
(iii) The Applicant shall not contact the victim tamper with the evidence and/or influence the prosecution witnesses.
(iv) The Trial Court shall decide the case on its own merits and in accordance with law, uninfluenced by the observations made in this order.
(v) The Applicant shall attend the concerned Police Station as and when required.
(vi) Application is allowed in the aforesaid terms. (SHIVKUMAR DIGE, J.)