Pankaj Santosh Chauthe v. State Of Maharashtra And ANR

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY CRIMINAL APPELLATE JURISDICTION CRIMINAL BAIL APPLICATION NO. 4760 OF 2025 Pankaj Santosh Chauthe ... Applicant

Versus

The State of Maharashtra & Anr.

... Respondents ____________________________________________________________ by NILAM SANTOSH KAMBLE Date:

2026.02.06 11:04:07 +0530 Mr.Ashraf Kazi a/w Mr.Vipul Dushing, Mr.Ashish Saxena, Mr.Tanmay Kate i/b Mr.Mahesh Sakhare, for the Applicant. Ms.Mahalaxmi Ganpathy, APP for Respondent-State. NILAM SANTOSH KAMBLE ____________________________________________________________ CORAM : SHIVKUMAR DIGE, J.

DATE : 4th FEBRUARY 2026 P.C. :

.

By this Application, the Applicant is seeking regular bail in Crime No.43 of 2025 registered with Kalewadi Police Station, Pune, for the offences punishable under Sections 74, 75(2), 79, 126(2), 115(2), 351(2)

(3) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 ('BNS' for short) and Sections 8 and 12 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012 ('POCSO' for short).

2.

It is prosecution's case that on 30th January 2025, at around 6.15 p.m., the Applicant outraged the modesty of the minor daughter of the First Informant and threatened her.

3.

It is contention of learned counsel for the Applicant that the Applicant is behind bars for more than one year. There is no progress in trial. Investigation is completed and charge-sheet has been filed, and requested to allow the Application.

4.

Ms.Neeta Patil is appointed to represent the Respondent No.2. 5.

It is contention of learned APP along with learned counsel for Respondent No.2 that the Applicant has outraged the modesty of the minor daughter of the First Informant. The Applicant has antecedents. If the Applicant released on bail, he may abscond or threaten victim, First Informant and prosecution witnesses, and requested to reject the Application.

6.

I have heard all learned counsel. Perused charge-sheet and documents produced on record.

7.

The Applicant is behind bars for more than one year. There is no progress in trial. It may take time to conclude the trial. The main allegations against the Applicant are that he outraged the modesty of the victim. 8.

Considering these facts, I pass following order.

ORDER

(i) The Applicant-Pankaj Santosh Chauthe be released on bail in Crime No.43 of 2025 registered with Kalewadi

Police Station, Pune, on furnishing PR bond of Rs.25,000/- with one or two solvent sureties in the like amount. (ii) The Applicant shall not enter in the jurisdiction of Kalewadi Police station till recording of evidence of Victim and First Informant, except attending Court dates. (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.)