Mahendra Dattarey Late v. State Of Maharashtra And ANR

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY CRIMINAL APPELLATE JURISDICTION CRIMINAL BAIL APPLICATION NO. 4580 OF 2025 Mahendra Dattatrey Late ... Applicant

Versus

The State of Maharashtra & Anr.

... Respondents by SONALI SATISH KILAJE Date:

2026.01.17 13:51:09 +0700 SONALI SATISH KILAJE ____________________________________________________________ Mr. Swaraj Jadhav i/b. Mr. Prashant P. Raut, Advocate for the Applicant. Mr. S. S. Pednekar, APP for the Respondent-State. Mr. Ramdas Hake Patil, Advocate for Respondent No.2. _________________________________________________________________

CORAM

: SHIVKUMAR DIGE, J.

DATE : 14th JANUARY, 2026.

P.C. :

1.

By this application, the applicant is seeking regular bail in C.R.No. 194 of 2025 registered with Alibag Police Station, Raigad, for the offence punishable under Sections 75, 76, 78, 79 of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 (for short "BNS Act") and Sections 8, 12 and 17 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012 (for short "POCSO Act").

2.

It is prosecution's case that during period May-2022 to 19.10.2025, the applicant demanded sexual favour from the first informant, who was minor and outraged her modesty by threatening to make her obscene photos viral.

3.

It is contention of learned counsel for the applicant that the

applicant is behind bars for more than two months. Investigation is completed. Chargesheet has been filed. Applicant has no criminal antecedents. Hence requested to allow the application. 4.

It is contention of learned APP that the applicant has threatened the first informant who is minor and outraged her modesty. If he released on bail, he may threaten first informant and prosecution witnesses and requested to reject the application.

5.

Learned counsel for the respondent No.2, on instructions, submits that first informant has no objection to allow the bail application. 6.

I have heard all learned counsel. Perused chargesheet and documents produced on record. The allegations against the applicant are of outraging modesty of the first informant. The applicant is behind bars for two months. Investigation is completed and chargesheet has been filed. He has no criminal antecedents. Considering these facts, I pass following order.

ORDER

i.

The Applicant be enlarged on bail in C.R.No. 194 of 2025 registered with Alibag Police Station, Raigad, on executing P.R.Bond of Rs.30,000/-, on furnishing one or two sureties in the like amount.

ii.

The Applicant shall attend the concerned Police Station as

and when required.

iii.

The Applicant shall not tamper with evidence or attempt to influence the witnesses.

iv.

The Trial Court shall not be influenced by the observations made in this order and shall decide the matter on its own merits and in accordance with law.

7.

The Bail Application is allowed in the aforesaid terms and is accordingly disposed of.

8.

All concerned to act on the authenticated copy of this order. (SHIVKUMAR DIGE, J.)