Pawankumar @ Rajumandal Zantriprasad Kanojiya v. The State Of Maharashtra

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY CRIMINAL APPELLATE JURISDICTION CRIMINAL BAIL APPLICATION NO. 4827 OF 2025 Pawankumar @ Rajumandal Zantriprasad Kanojiya ... Applicant/s

Versus

The State of Maharashtra ... Respondent/s ____________________________________________________________ Mr. Prabhanjay R. Dave, Advocate for the Applicant. Mr. B.B. Kulkarni, APP for Respondent-State. PSI-Lohar S. B., Sahkarnagar Police Station, Pune City, present. _________________________________________________________________

CORAM

: SHIVKUMAR DIGE, J.

DATE : 16th JANUARY, 2026.

P.C. :

1.

By this application, the applicant is seeking regular bail in Crime No. 237 of 2025 registered with Sahakarnagar Police Station, District Pune, for the offences punishable under Sections 98, 115(2) and 62 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 and Section 5(c) of Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act, 1956.

2.

It is prosecution's case that the first informant is the minor stepdaughter of the applicant. It is alleged that one day the first informant overheard a conversation of the applicant with another lady, in which the applicant was telling her to take the first informant with her, confine her, SHUBHADA SHANKAR KADAM or sell her. Thereafter, the first informant lodged a report with the police. SHUBHADA SHANKAR KADAM Date: 2026.01.19 18:46:57 +0530

3.

It is contention of learned counsel for the applicant that the applicant is behind bars for more than seven months. There is no progress in the trial. The applicant has no antecedents. At present, the first informant is with an NGO. Hence, requested to allow the application. 4.

It is contention of learned APP that the applicant is the stepfather of the first informant. He tried to sell her. If the applicant is released on bail, he may threaten the first informant and the prosecution witnesses, and requested to reject the application. 5.

I have heard both learned counsel, perused the charge sheet and documents produced on record. The allegations against the applicant are that the first informant overheard a conversation between the applicant and another lady, wherein the applicant allegedly asked the said lady to confine or sell the first informant. The applicant is behind bars for more than seven months. The investigation is completed and the charge-sheet is filed. There is no progress in the trial. The applicant has no criminal antecedents. Considering these facts, the application is allowed:

ORDER

(i) The applicant be enlarged on bail in Crime No. 237 of 2025 registered with Sahakarnagar Police Station, District Pune, on executing P.R.Bond in the sum of Rs.30,000/- with one or two local 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.

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.)