Amit Suresh Jadhav v. The State Of Maharashtra And ANR

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY

CRIMINAL APPELLATE JURISDICTION CRIMINAL BAIL APPLICATION NO. 2573 OF 2025 Amit Suresh Jadhav ...Applicant versus The State of Maharashtra and anr.

...Respondents

VAISHALI ANIL TIKAM by VAISHALI ANIL TIKAM Date:

2026.04.24 12:58:32 +0530 _________________________________________________________________ Mr. Nikhil Adkine a/w. Shubham B. Choudhar a/w Avinash Bailmare a/w. Shubham Shinde a/w Somnath Kale, Advocate for Applicant. Mr. M.G. Patil, APP for Respondent-State.

Ms. Shanice Mansukhani, Advocate for Respondent No.2. _________________________________________________________________

CORAM

: SHIVKUMAR DIGE, J.

DATE : 21st APRIL, 2026.

P.C. :

1.

Heard learned counsel for the Applicant and learned APP for the State.

2.

By this application, the applicant is seeking regular bail in Crime No. 161 of 2021 registered with Wanawadi Police Station, Pune for the offences punishable under Sections 376, 376(3), 506 of India Penal Code, 1860 (for short 'IPC'), under Sections 4, 5(m), 8, 12, 19(1) r/w. 21(1) of Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012 and under Sections 3(2) (v) of SC/ST Act, 2015.

3.

It is prosecution's case that during period from 2017 to 2021 Applicant sexually assaulted the minor daughter of first informant, aged 7

years.

4.

It is contention of learned counsel for the Applicant that at the time of incident, applicant was 18 years' old. He is student. He is behind bars around five years, yet, charge is not framed. It may take time to conclude the trial. The minimum punishment for the offence applied against the applicant is 10 years. The applicant has no antecedents. There is delay in lodging the complaint and requested to allow the application. 5.

It is contention of learned APP along with learned counsel for Respondent No.2 that victim was 7 years' old. Applicant repeatedly sexually assaulted her. Victim has stated about the act done by the applicant. If applicant is released on bail, he may threaten witness and prosecution witnesses and requested to reject the application. 6.

I have heard all learned counsel. Perused charge-sheet and documents produced on record. Applicant is behind bars more than five years, yet, charge is not framed. The minimum punishment for the offence applied against the applicant is 10 years. At the time of incident, applicant was 18 years and 11 months' old. He is student. If he remained behind bars, his education life will be ruined. He has no antecedents. 7.

Considering these facts, I pass following order:

ORDER

(i) The Applicant- Amit Suresh Jadhav be released on bail in Crime

No. 161 of 2021 registered with Wanawadi 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 Pune District till conclusion of the trial, except attending the Court's dates (iii) The Applicant shall not 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.)