Shehnaz Begum W/O Shahbuddin Sheikh v. The State Of Maharashtra Thr Pso., Ps Nandanwan, Nagpur

1 15-888-25.odt

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY

NAGPUR BENCH AT NAGPUR CRIMINAL APPLICATION (ABA) NO.888/2025 Shehnaz Begum w/o Shahbuddin Sheikh Vs. The State of Maharashtra, Through P.S.O. P.S. Nandanwan, Nagpur Office Notes, Office Memoranda of Coram, Appearances, Court's orders or directions and Registrar's orders Court's or Judge's orders Mr. Yash Maheshwari, Advocate for Applicant Mr. Anant Ghaghare, APP for Non-applicant

CORAM:

NIVEDITA P. MEHTA, J.

DATED :

24th NOVEMBER, 2025 1.

Issue notice to the non-applicant, returnable on 09.12.2025.

2.

The learned APP waives service of notice for non-applicant and seeks time to file reply. Time as sought is granted.

3.

The applicant has filed the present application for anticipatory bail, apprehending her arrest in connection with Crime No. 565/2025, registered with Police Station Nandanwan, Nagpur District Nagpur, for offences punishable under Sections 80, 85, 108, 115(2), 351(2), 3(5) of the Bhartiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 read with Sections 4 and 6 of the Prohibition of Dowry Act.

4.

The prosecution case, in brief, is that the applicant had informed the complainant that a quarrel was taking place in the matrimonial home of Farahnaz, the complainant's daughter. Acting on this

2 15-888-25.odt information, the complainant reached the said house, where Farahnaz stated that she had been assaulted by her mother-in-law, Akila Sheikh, her husband, Numan Sheikh, and her sister-in-law, Sana Sheikh. On the following day, Farahnaz committed suicide. The complainant thereafter lodged a report alleging that the accused persons used to assault his daughter without any cause and were habitually subjecting her to quarrels and harassment. On this report, investigation commenced.

5.

The learned counsel for the applicant submits that the applicant had no involvement whatsoever in the quarrel that allegedly occurred between the deceased and her in-laws. On the contrary, she was the person who informed the complainant regarding the said quarrel. It is contended that no overt act is attributed to the applicant and there is no material on record necessitating custodial interrogation. 6.

Per contra, the learned Additional Public Prosecutor submits that the deceased was repeatedly harassed and threatened by her in-laws, and that the investigation is at a crucial stage. It is therefore argued that the application does not deserve consideration at this stage.

7.

Upon considering the rival submissions and the material placed on record, this Court is of the prima facie view that no specific role has been attributed to the present applicant in the alleged acts of

3 15-888-25.odt harassment. The material presently available indicates that the applicant was merely the person who informed the complainant of the quarrel occurring at the matrimonial home of the deceased. In these circumstances, this Court is satisfied that the applicant has made out a prima facie case for grant of adinterim anticipatory bail.

ORDER

I.

In the event of arrest of the applicant in Crime No. Crime No. 565/2025, registered with Police Station Nandanwan, Nagpur District Nagpur, for offences punishable under Sections 80, 85, 108, 115(2), 351(2), 3(5) of the Bhartiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 read with Sections 4 and 6 of the Prohibition of Dowry Act, the applicant shall be released on furnishing solvent surety of Rs.15,000/- with PR bond of like amount.

II.

The applicant shall attend the concerned Police Station as and when called by the Investigating Officer and shall co-operate with the investigation. IV.

Interim protection shall operate till 09.12.2025. (NIVEDITA P. MEHTA, J.) MP Deshpande Signed by: Mr. M.P. Deshpande Designation: PA To Honourable Judge Date: 24/11/2025 17:58:07