Sunil Hanumant Khomane v. State Of Maharashtra And ANR.

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY CRIMINAL APPELLATE JURISDICTION CRIMINAL BAIL APPLICATION NO. 4723 OF 2025 Sunil Hanumant Khomane ....Applicant

Versus

The State of Maharashtra and anr.

....Respondents _________________________________________________________________ Mr. Sudeep Pasbola, Senior Advocate along with Mr. Chinmay Godse, Advocate for Applicant.

Mr. B. B.Kulkarni, APP for Respondent No.1-State. Mr. Ghanshyam Jadhav, Advocate for Respondent No.2. _________________________________________________________________

CORAM

: SHIVKUMAR DIGE, J.

DATE : 25th FEBRUARY, 2026.

P.C. :

1.

By this application, the applicant is seeking regular bail in Crime No. 109 of 2025 registered with Vadgaon Nimalkar Police Station, District Pune, for the offences punishable under Sections 107, 78, 296, 352, 351(2), 351(3) read with Section 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, Sections 8 and 12 of Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012, Sections 3(1)(w)(i), 3(1)(w)(ii), 3(2)(va), 3(v) and 6 of the the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989 and Section 4(25) of the Arms Act. Digitally signed by SHUBHADA SHANKAR KADAM Date:

2026.02.27 11:36:09 +0530 2.

It is prosecution's case that the applicant and co-accused SHUBHADA SHANKAR KADAM mentally and physically harassed the minor daughter of the complainant to

marry accused Vishal Gawade. Due to continuous harassment, she committed suicide on 8th April 2025 by hanging herself. 3.

It is contention of learned senior counsel for the applicant that the main allegations are against the co-accused. The allegation against the applicant is that he was present with the co-accused. The applicant is a student and he is behind bars for more than six months. If he remains behind bars, his academic career will be ruined. 4.

It is contention of the learned APP along with the learned counsel for respondent No. 2 that the applicant and co-accused threatened the minor victim to marry Vishal Gawade. Due to continuous pressure from the applicant, she committed suicide by hanging herself. If the applicant is released on bail, he might threaten the prosecution witnesses, and requested to reject the application.

5.

I have heard both the learned counsel, perused the charge sheet and documents produced on record. The allegations against the applicant are of threatening and pressurizing the deceased to marry the co-accused. The main allegations are against the co-accused. The applicant is a student. He is behind bars for more than six months. If he remains behind bars, his academic career will be ruined. It may take time to conclude the trial. Considering these facts, I pass the following order:

ORDER

(i) The applicant be enlarged on bail in Crime No. 109 of 2025 registered with Vadgaon Nimalkar Police Station, District Pune, on executing P.R.Bond in the sum of Rs.30,000/- with 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 the evidence or attempt to influence or contact the complainant, witnesses or any person concerned with the case.

(iv) The applicant shall not enter Baramati Taluka except for attending college.

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

6.

It is made clear that the above observations are made only for the purpose of granting bail and the Trial Court shall decide the case on its own merits in accordance with law and uninfluenced by the observations made in this order.

7.

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