Akshata Ganesh Chaulkar v. State Of Maharashtra

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY

CRIMINAL APPELLATE JURISDICTION ANTICIPATORY BAIL APPLICATION NO.1203 OF 2025 Akshata Ganesh Chaulkar ...Applicant

Versus

State of Maharashtra & Anr.

...Respondents

Mr. Ghanshyam Jadhav, Advocate for Applicant. Ms. R.V. Newton, APP for the State.

Mr. Jagrut M. Patil, for Respondent No.2.

API, Krishna Patil, Ulwe Police Station, Navi Mumbai present.

CORAM:

MADHAV J. JAMDAR, J.

DATED :

4th November 2025 P.C.:

1.

Heard Mr. Jadhav, learned Counsel appearing for the Applicant, Mr. Patil, learned Counsel appearing for the Respondent No.2 and Ms. Newton, learned APP for the State. 2.

By this application filed under Section 482 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 ("BNSS"), the Applicant is seeking pre-arrest bail in connection with C.R. No.158 of 2025 registered on 29th March 2025, with N.R.I. Sagari Police Station, Navi Mumbai, for the offences punishable under Sections 108 and 82 of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita, 2023 ("BNS").

3.

It is the case of the prosecution that the Applicant and the deceased, who are very close relatives married to each other on 5th May 2022, however, the Applicant and deceased has not disclosed the said marriage to their parents and any of the family members. It is the case of the prosecution that inspite of said marriage, the Applicant wanted to marry one Yogesh Suresh Deshmukh and due to the said conduct of the Applicant, the deceased died by suicide on 24th January 2025. The First Informant is the mother of the deceased. After the said incident, relatives were coming to meet the family and at that time, the First Informant came to know on or about 8th January 2025 about the marriage of the Applicant and the deceased and dispute between them as the Applicant wanted to get married again with said Yogesh Suresh Deshmukh. 4.

It is the submission of the learned Counsel for the Applicant that the Applicant is not concerned with the said incident. He submits that the Applicant is married to said Yogesh Suresh Deshmukh on 4th February 2022. The Applicant is the Government Servant and having daughter of 4 months.

5.

On the other hand, Ms. Newton, learned APP and Mr. Patil, learned Counsel for the Respondent No.2 strongly opposed granting pre-arrest bail to the Applicant. Both of them submit that the offence is very serious and therefore, custodial interrogation is necessary.

6.

Perusal of record shows that the incident took place on 24th January 2025. The F.I.R. has been lodged on 29th March 2025. 7.

In the facts and circumstances, custodial interrogation is not required.

8.

Accordingly, case is made out for grant of pre-arrest bail. Hence, following Order is passed:

O R D E R

(i) In the event of arrest, the Applicant - Akshata Ganesh Chaulkar be released on bail in C.R. No.158 of 2025, registered with N.R.I. Sagari Police Station, Navi Mumbai on executing P.R. bond of Rs.25,000/- and furnishing one or two sureties in the like amount.

(ii) The Applicant shall attend the concerned Police Station as and when called by the Investigating Officer.

(iii) The Applicant shall furnish her cell phone number and residential address to the Investigating Officer and shall keep the same updated, in case of any change thereto.

(iv) The Applicant shall not directly or indirectly make any inducement, threat, or promise to any person acquainted with the facts of the case so as to dissuade such a person from disclosing the facts to the Court or to any Police personnel.

(v) The Applicant shall not tamper with the prosecution evidence and shall not contact or influence the Complainant, or any witness, in any manner.

9.

The Anticipatory Bail Application is allowed and disposed of accordingly.

BHALCHANDRA GOPAL DUSANE (MADHAV J. JAMDAR, J.) BHALCHANDRA GOPAL DUSANE Date: 2025.11.04 14:49:37 +0530