Pradip Popat Sathe v. State Of Maharashtra And ANR
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY CRIMINAL APPELLATE JURISDICTION CRIMINAL BAIL APPLICATION NO. 4400 OF 2025 PRADIP POPAT SATHE ...Applicant
VERSUS
STATE OF MAHARASHTRA AND ANR
...Respondents
_________________________________________________________________ Mr. Sushant Prabhune (thr. VC), Advocate for Applicant. Mr. B.B. Kulkarni, APP for Respondent-State.
Mr. Sahil Morey, Advocate for Respondent No.2. _________________________________________________________________ VAISHALI ANIL TIKAM by VAISHALI ANIL TIKAM Date:
2026.03.06 18:38:54 +0530
CORAM
: SHIVKUMAR DIGE, J.
DATE : 27th FEBRUARY, 2026.
P.C. :
1.
Heard learned counsel for the Applicant, learned APP for the State and learned counsel for Respondent No.2. 2.
By this Application, the Applicant is seeking regular bail in Crime No. 1059 of 2024 registered with Indapur Police Station, Dist. Pune for the offences punishable under Sections 137(20, 64, 351(2) of Bhartiya Nagarik Sanhita and Sections 4,8,12 of The Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012.
3.
It is prosecution's case that Applicant sexually assaulted minor daughter of the first informant.
4.
It is contention of learned counsel for the Applicant that at the time of incident, victim was more than 17 years. There was love affair
between Applicant and victim. Applicant has no antecedents. He is behind bars more than 14 months and requested to allow the Application. 5.
It is contention of learned APP along with learned counsel for Respondent No.2 that Applicant sexually assaulted the victim. He was aware about her age. If Applicant released on bail, he may abscond or threaten the prosecution witnesses and requested to reject the Application. 6.
I have heard all learned counsel. Perused charge-sheet and documents produced on record.
7.
At the time of incident, victim was more than 17 years old. The Applicant is behind bars more than 14 months. He has no antecedents. There is no progress in the trial. It may take time to conclude the trial. 8.
Considering these facts, I pass following order.
ORDER
(i) The Applicant- Pradip Popat Sathe be released on bail in Crime No. 1059 of 2024 registered with Indapur Police Station, Dist. 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) The Applicant shall attend the concerned Police Station as and when required.
(v) Applicant shall not contact the victim.
(vi) Application is allowed in the aforesaid terms. (SHIVKUMAR DIGE, J.)