Aniket Ranjit Panchal v. The State Of Maharashtra And ANR

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY

CRIMINAL APPELLATE JURISDICTION CRIMINAL BAIL APPLICATION NO. 2379 OF 2025 Aniket Ranjit Panchal ....Applicant versus The State of Maharashtra and anr.

....Respondents _________________________________________________________________ Mr. Vipul Dushing along with Mr. Tanmay Kate, Mr. Ashraf Kazi, Mr. Sarvesh Nikam, Mr. Prajyot Shinde, Mr. Ashish Saxena, Mr. Akshay Badve, Advocate for Applicant.

Mr. M. G. Patil, APP for Respondent No.1-State. Mr. Vivekanand Krishnan, Advocate for Respondent No.2(through VC). GPSI-A. R. Bhurte, Rajgad Police Station, District - Pune, present. _________________________________________________________________

CORAM

: SHIVKUMAR DIGE, J.

DATE : 29th APRIL, 2026.

P.C. :

1.

By this application, the applicant is seeking regular bail in Crime No. 166 of 2023 registered with Rajgad Police Station, District Pune, for the offences punishable under Sections 363, 376(2)(n), 313 and 506 of the the Indian Penal Code 1860, Sections 4, 6, 8 and 12 of Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012 and Sections 3(1) (w)(i)(ii), 3(2)(v), Section 3(2)(v) and 3(2)(va) and Section 6 of the the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, SHUBHADA SHANKAR KADAM 1989 .

SHUBHADA SHANKAR KADAM Date: 2026.05.05 11:04:26 +0530 2.

It is prosecution's case that during the period from 19th April 2022 to 8th April 2023, the applicant sexually assaulted the minor daughter

of the first informant by kidnapping her. It is alleged that the victim was sexually assaulted by the uncle of the applicant. 3.

It is contention of learned counsel for the applicant that there was love affair between the applicant and victim. The victim herself eloped with the applicant and stayed with him for around one year but she did not lodge complaint during the said period. The applicant is behind bars for more than three years. The applicant has no antecedents. It may take time to conclude the trial and requested to allow the application. 4.

It is contention of learned APP along with learned counsel for respondent No.2 that at the time of the incident, the victim around 14 years and five months old. The applicant was aware of her age, in spite of that, he kidnapped her by threatening her and sexually assaulted her. If the applicant is released on bail, he may threaten the victim and prosecution witnesses and requested to reject the application. 5.

I have heard both learned counsel, perused the charge-sheet and documents produced on record.

6.

It appears from record that there was love affair between the applicant and victim and the victim stayed with the applicant for one year but she did not lodge any complaint during that period. The applicant is behind bars for more than three years. There is no progress in the trial. The applicant has no antecedents. It may take time to conclude the trial.

Considering these facts, I pass following order :

ORDER

(i) The applicant be enlarged on bail in Crime No. 166 of 2023 registered with Rajgad Police Station, District Pune, on executing P.R.Bond in the sum of Rs.30,000/- with one or two sureties in the like amount.

(ii) The applicant shall attend the concerned police station as and when required.

(iii) The applicant shall not tamper with the evidence or attempt to influence or contact the complainant, witnesses or any person concerned with the case.

The application is allowed in the aforesaid terms and is accordingly disposed of.

7.

It is made clear that the above observations are made only for the purpose of granting bail and the Trial Court shall decide the case on its own merits in accordance with law and uninfluenced by the observations made in this order.

8.

All concerned to act on the authenticated copy of this order. (SHIVKUMAR DIGE, J.)