Salma Jabir Ali Khatoon v. The State Of Maharashtra
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY CRIMINAL APPELLATE JURISDICTION CRIMINAL BAIL APPLICATION NO. 3491 OF 2025 Salma Jabir Ali Khatoon ... Applicant
Versus
The State of Maharashtra ... Respondent by NILAM SANTOSH KAMBLE Date: 2026.01.16 15:34:41 +0530 NILAM SANTOSH KAMBLE ________________________________________________________ Mr.S.Z. Khatib, for the Applicant.
Mr.M.G. Patil, APP for Respondent-State.
________________________________________________________ CORAM : SHIVKUMAR DIGE, J.
DATE : 13th JANUARY, 2026 P.C. :
.
By this Application, the Applicant is seeking regular bail in Crime No.90/2025 registered with Talegaon Dabhade Police Station, Pune, for the offences punishable under Section 143(3) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 ('BNS' for short) and Sections 4 and 5 of the Prevention of Immoral Traffic Act, 1956.
2.
It is prosecution's case that, on 20th April 2025, on secret information, Police conducted raid at Casanova Lodge, Talegaon Dabhade. In the said raid, Police found that, prostitution was being carried on therein.
It is alleged that, the Applicant was working as an agent and was providing the girls to the customers for prostitution by taking money. 3.
It is contention of learned counsel for the Applicant that, the Applicant is behind bar for more than 9 months. There is no progress in trial. The Applicant is lady. It may take time to conclude trial. She has no antecedents, and requested to allow the Application. 4.
It is contention of learned APP that, the Applicant was providing victims for prostitution by accepting amount from customers and victims. If Applicant is released on bail, she may abscond or threaten the victim and prosecution witnesses, and requested to reject the Application. 5.
I have heard both learned counsel. Perused charge-sheet and documents produced on record.
6.
The Applicant is behind bar for more than 9 months. There is no progress in trial. Investigation is completed and charge-sheet has been filed. She has no antecedents.
7.
Considering these facts, I pass following order.
ORDER
(i) The Applicant-Salma Jabir Ali Khatoon be released on bail in Crime No.90/2025 registered with Talegaon
Dabhade 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.)