Madhav Nagnath Cheble v. State Of Maharashtra And ANR

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY CRIMINAL APPELLATE JURISDICTION CRIMINAL BAIL APPLICATION NO. 3399 OF 2025 Madhav Nagnath Cheble ... Applicant

Versus

State Of Maharashtra And Anr ... Respondents by NILAM SANTOSH KAMBLE Date: 2026.01.20 11:31:05 +0530 ________________________________________________________ NILAM SANTOSH KAMBLE Mr.Kuldeep Nikam a/w Ms.Nishi Singhvi, for the Applicant. Mr.P.P. Jadhav, APP for Respondent-State.

Mr.Ajinkya Udane i/b Ms.Urmila B. Sahu, for Respondent No.2. Mr.Pankaj Khopde, PSI, Kondhwa Police Station, Pune. ________________________________________________________ CORAM : SHIVKUMAR DIGE, J.

DATE : 17th JANUARY, 2026 P.C. :

.

By this Application, Applicant is seeking regular bail in Crime No.1192 of 2023 registered with Kondhwa Police Station, Pune, for the offences punishable under Section 363 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860 ('IPC' for short), Sections 64(m), 65(1) of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 ('BNS' for short) and Sections 4(2), 5(1) and 8 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012 ('POCSO' for short).

2.

It is prosecution's case that, on 25th November 2023 the Applicant kidnapped minor daughter of the First Informant and sexually assaulted her.

3.

It is contention of learned counsel for the Applicant that, there was love affair between the Applicant and victim. The victim herself had eloped with the Applicant and stayed with him for one year and three months. The police arrested the Applicant from the place where victim and Applicant were residing. The Applicant has no antecedents. He is behind bars for almost one year. There is no progress in the trial and requested to allow the Application. 4.

It is contention of learned APP alongwith learned counsel for the Respondent No.2 that at the time of the incident victim, was 13 years old. The Applicant was aware about her age, inspite of that, he kidnapped and sexually assaulted her. If Applicant is released on bail, he may abscond or threaten victim and prosecution witnesses. Hence, requested to reject the Application.

5.

I have heard all learned counsel. Perused charge-sheet and documents produced on record.

6.

It appears from the record that victim herself had gone with

the Applicant. She stayed with him for more than one year. She did not make any hue and cry. The Applicant was 20 years old. He is behind bars for around one year. He has no antecedents. 7.

Considering these facts, I pass following order.

ORDER

(i) The Applicant-Madhav Nagnath Cheble be released on bail in Crime No.1192 of 2023 registered with Kondhwa 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 tamper with the evidence and/or influence the prosecution witnesses.

(iii) The Trial Court shall decide the case on its own merits and in accordance with law, uninfluenced by the observations made in this order.

(iv) Application is allowed in the aforesaid terms. (SHIVKUMAR DIGE, J.)