Keshav Ramdas Sabale v. State Of Maharashtra And ANR
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY CRIMINAL APPELLATE JURISDICTION CRIMINAL BAIL APPLICATION NO. 4436 OF 2025 Keshav Ramdas Sabale ... Applicant
Versus
The State of Maharashtra & Anr.
... Respondents ____________________________________________________________ by NILAM SANTOSH KAMBLE Date: 2026.02.16 15:48:15 +0530 Mr.Aniket Nikam a/w Ms.Abhilasha Pawar and Mr.Sumit Patil, for the Applicant.
Mr.M.G. Patil, APP for Respondent-State.
Ms.Swapnali Pednekar, for Respondent No.2.
Mr.Rakeshsinh Pardeshi, API, Dindori Police Station, Nashik. NILAM SANTOSH KAMBLE ____________________________________________________________ CORAM : SHIVKUMAR DIGE, J.
DATE : 12th FEBRUARY 2026 P.C. :
.
By this Application, the Applicant is seeking regular bail in Crime No.170 of 2025 registered with Dindori Police Station, Nashik, for the offences punishable under Sections 137(2), 64(1), 64(2)(i) and 75 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 on 1st May 2025, the Applicant kidnapped minor daughter of the First Informant and sexually assaulted her by threatening her.
3.
It is contention of learned counsel for the Applicant that at the time of the incident, victim was more than 16 years and 8 months old. There was love affair between the Applicant and victim. The victim stayed with the Applicant for five days, but she did not make hue and cry. The Applicant has no antecedents, and requested to allow the Application.
4.
It is contention of learned APP along with learned counsel for Respondent No.2 that the Applicant kidnapped minor daughter of the First Informant and by threatening her he sexually assaulted her on several occasions. 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, the victim was 16 years and 8 months old. She stayed with the Applicant for five days, but she did not make hue and cry. The Applicant is behind bars for more than six months. 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-Keshav Ramdas Sabale be released on bail in Crime No.170 of 2025 registered with Dindori 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 and First Informant.
(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.)