Mohit Pradip Shinde v. State Of Maharashtra And ANR

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY CRIMINAL APPELLATE JURISDICTION CRIMINAL BAIL APPLICATION NO. 3357 OF 2025 Mohit Pradip Shinde ... Applicant

Versus

State Of Maharashtra And Anr ... Respondents ____________________________________________________________ by NILAM SANTOSH KAMBLE Date: 2026.02.18 18:35:37 +0530 NILAM SANTOSH KAMBLE Mr.Umar Kazi a/w Ms.Sonia Santis and Mr.Umar Nizami, for the Applicant. Ms.R.D. Humane, APP for Respondent-State.

Ms.Kanchan Pawar, for Respondent No.2.

Mr.Suyog Waykar, API, Upnagar Police Station, Nashik. ____________________________________________________________ CORAM : SHIVKUMAR DIGE, J.

DATE : 17th FEBRUARY 2026 P.C. :

.

By this Application, the Applicant is seeking regular bail in Crime No.101 of 2025 registered with Upnagar Police Station, Nashik for the offences punishable under Sections 352, 351(3) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 ('BNS' for short) and Sections 4,8 and 12 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012 ('POCSO' for short). 2.

It is prosecution's case that the Applicant sexually assaulted the minor daughter of the First Informant by threatening her. It is alleged that he clicked obscene photos of the victim and made viral. 3.

It is contention of learned counsel for the Applicant that there was love affair between the Applicant and victim. The victim was more than 16 years old at the time of the incident. There is delay in lodging the

complaint. The Applicant is behind bars for more than one year. The Applicant has no antecedents. There is no progress in trial, and requested to allow the Application.

4.

It is contention of learned APP along with learned counsel for Respondent No.2 that the Applicant viraled obscene photographs of the victim on social media. The Applicant sexually assaulted the victim by threatening her. 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.

At the time of the incident victim was 16 years old. There is delay in lodging the complaint. The Applicant is behind bars for more than one year. The Applicant has no antecedents. There is no progress in trial. It may take time to conclude the trial.

7.

Considering these facts, I pass following order.

ORDER

(i) The Applicant-Mohit Pradip Shinde be released on bail in Crime No.101 of 2025 registered with Upnagar Police Station, Nashik, on furnishing PR bond of Rs.25,000/- with one or two solvent sureties in the like amount. (ii) The Applicant shall not contact the victim.

(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.)