Navnath Madhukar Gade v. State Of Maharashtra And ANR

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY CRIMINAL APPELLATE JURISDICTION CRIMINAL BAIL APPLICATION NO. 4742 OF 2025 Navnath Madhukar Gade ... Applicant

Versus

State Of Maharashtra And Anr ... Respondents by NILAM SANTOSH KAMBLE Date: 2026.01.16 15:34:47 +0530 NILAM SANTOSH KAMBLE ________________________________________________________ Ms.Sana Shaikh, for the Applicant.

Mr.P.P. Jahdav, APP for Respondent-State.

Mr.S.L. Tengar, ASI, MIDC, Sinnar Police Station. ________________________________________________________ CORAM : SHIVKUMAR DIGE, J.

DATE : 13th JANUARY, 2026 P.C. :

.

By this Application, Applicant is seeking regular bail in Crime No.214 of 2024 registered with MIDC Sinnar Police Station, Nashik, for the offences punishable under Sections 376, 323 and 506 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860 ('IPC' for short) 2.

It is prosecution's case that on 6th May 2024 at around 8.30 a.m. when the Informant was working in her field. At that time, the

Applicant came from behind and caught hold her, forcibly dragged her towards sugarcane field and forcibly sexually assaulted on her. 3.

It is contentions of learned counsel for the Applicant that the Applicant has been falsely implicated in this case. The relationship between the Applicant and First Informant was consensual. The Applicant is behind bar for more than 1 year and 8 months. There is no progress in trial. The brother in law of the First Informant had seen the First Informant and Applicant in compromising position hence a false complaint is filed against the Applicant and requested to allow the Application.

4.

It is contention of learned APP that, the Applicant has sexually assaulted the First Informant when she was working in her field. The FIR was lodged immediately after the incident. If Applicant is released on bail, he may abscond or threaten the 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 one year and seven months. There is no progress in trial. Investigation is completed

and charge-sheet has been filed. It may take time to conclude the trial. 7.

Considering these facts, I pass following order.

ORDER

(i) The Applicant-Navnath Madhukar Gade be released on bail in Crime No.214 of 2024 registered with MIDC Sinnar 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 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) Application is allowed in the aforesaid terms. (SHIVKUMAR DIGE, J.)