Naveenkumar Mahesh Ram v. State Of Maharashtra

by ARUNA SANDEEP TALWALKAR Date:

2025.06.21 17:47:13 +0530 ARUNA SANDEEP TALWALKAR

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY

CRIMINAL APPELLATE JURISDICTION CRIMINAL BAIL APPLICATION NO. 2376 OF 2025

1. Naveenkumar Mahesh Ram

2. Amarkumar Rajendra Ram ... Applicants.

Vs.

The State of Maharashtra ... Respondent.

**** Mr. Pranav Pokale a/w. Mr. Chinmay Sawant, for the Applicants. Mr. S.S. Chaudhari, APP for Respondent/State. **** CORAM :

ASHWIN D. BHOBE, J.

DATE : 20th JUNE, 2025 P.C. :

1.

Heard Mr. Pranav Pokale, learned Advocate for the Applicants and Mr. Chaudhari, learned APP for State. 2.

By the present Application filed under section 483 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (for short "BNSS"), the Applicants are seeking regular bail in Crime No.239 of 2024 registered at Dighi Police Station, Pimpri Chinchwad, Pune for offence punishable under Sections 306, 385 read with Section 34 of the Indian Penal Code and under Section 67 of the Information Technology Act, 2000.

3.

Case of the prosecution is that face book account of the deceased was hacked and his photograph was cropped and morphed in obscene photographs. Said obscene photographs were then sent to the deceased through WhatsApp. On the basis of the obscene photos, demand for money was made from the deceased, on the threat of the said photos being posted on social media. Under the said threat and pressure, the deceased committed suicide. Prosecution relies on the suicide note of the deceased. 4.

There are 6 accused in the above said crime.

5.

Mr. Pranav Pokale, learned Advocate for the Applicants states that the crime is now registered as Sessions Case No. 664 of 2024. Bail Application at Exh. 6 in Sessions Case No. 664 of 2024 filed by the Applicants, was dismissed by the Additional Sessions Judge, Pune, by order dated 24th September, 2024. 6.

Mr. Pranav Pokale, learned Advocate for the Applicants states that the co-accused namely, Sagar Mahendra Ram (Accused No. 3) and Murali Hiralal Kewat (Accused No. 4) in the said crime have been released on bail by this Court by order dated 2nd May, 2025 passed in Criminal Bail Application No.4898 of 2024 and Criminal Bail Application No.4800 of 2024, respectively. He states

that involvement and the role assigned to the Applicants is similar and identical to the role assigned to the above referred Accused Nos.3 and 4. He submits that the Applicants do not have any criminal antecedents. He submits that the Applicants being placed in the similar position in the context of allegations in the crime, would be entitled to parity in bail.

7.

Learned APP submits that as per the FIR and the material placed on record reveal the role and involvement of the Applicants herein, is very similar to the role of the Accused Nos.3 and 4 in the said crime, who have been released on bail. 8.

I have perused the record and the orders passed by this Court in Criminal Bail Application No.4800 of 2024 and Criminal Bail Application No.4898 of 2024.

9.

Suicide note relied upon by the prosecution refers to various mobile numbers. Mr. Pokale, learned Advocate for the Applicants states that mobile numbers mentioned in the suicide note, are not the mobile numbers of the Applicants. 10.

Perusal of the record placed in this Application prima facie reveals that the involvement of the Applicants herein is similar to the involvement of the Accused Nos.3 and 4, in the said

crime. This Court, upon consideration of the case against the Accused Nos. 3 and 4 in the said crime, has granted bail to the said Accused Nos.3 and 4. Role played by the Applicants in the said crime is same and similar to that of the co-accused Nos. 3 and 4, as such the principle of parity. The Applicants are therefore entitled to bail on parity.

11.

In view of the above, Bail Application is allowed on the following conditions :

(a) Applicants are directed to be released on bail in connection with Crime No.239 of 2024, registered with Dighi Police Station, Pune, upon furnishing P.R. Bond in the sum of Rs.25,000/- each with one or two sureties each in the like amount, to the satisfaction of the Additional Sessions Judge, Pune.

(b) Applicants shall report to the Investigation Officer, Dighi Police Station, Pune once in a month i.e. on the first Saturday of each month from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., till the framing of charge in Sessions Case No.664 of 2024.

(c) Applicants shall not directly or indirectly make

any inducement, threat or promise to any person acquainted with facts of the case so as to dissuade him from disclosing the facts to the Court or any police officer and should not tamper with evidence.

(d) Applicants upon release, within 3 days shall furnish to the Investigating Officer, Dighi Police Station, Pune, their residential addresses with proof and the contact numbers and to keep the Investigation Officer intimated about the change in the same from time to time.

12.

Criminal Bail Application No.2376 of 2025 is disposed off in the above said terms.

(ASHWIN D. BHOBE, J.)