Firoz Naruddin Kazi v. State Of Maharashtra

{1}

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE OF BOMBAY

CIRCUIT BENCH AT KOLHAPUR CRIMINAL APPELLATE JURISDICTION ANTICIPATORY BAIL APPLICATION NO. 2368 OF 2025 Firoz Naruddin Kazi ...Applicant

Versus

State Of Maharashtra

...Respondent

Mr. Abjijit Kulkarni a/w. Mr. Abhay Jadhavar, Advocate for the applicant Mr. Anand Salgaonkar, APP for State .......

CORAM : NITIN B. SURYAWANSHI, J.

DATE : 08th JANUARY, 2026 ORDER :

1.

By this application filed under Section 482 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, applicant seeks anticipatory bail in Crime No. 498 of 2025 registered with Barshi Police Station, Dist. Solapur for the offences punishable under Sections 111, 143(2) and 3(5) of the Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita and Sections 3, 4, 5 and 6 of the Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act, 1956.

2.

Prosecution case in brief is that raid was conducted by sending bogus customers to the brothel. When one lady was apprehended, bogus customer informed that he had given Rs. 500/- to her. The lady who was found in the room informed that she is owner

{2} and they are doing prostitution business. Other ladies were also found who have stated that they are forcibly kept there for conducting illegal business.

3.

Heard the learned advocate for the applicant and learned APP for the State. Perused the record.

4.

Prosecution case is that applicant is the head of the organised crime syndicate. Applicant has formed a gang and by forcing ladies they are conducting illegal prostitution business. Section 111 of BNS is made applicable to the present crime after it was revealed that applicant is continuing unlawful activity of human trafficking for prostitution, acting in concert with the other members as a head of organised crime syndicate. The custodial interrogation of the applicant is therefore necessary for the effective investigation. 5.

Applicant has criminal antecedents as follows: (i) Crime No. 496/2025 registered with Barshi Police Station for offences punishable under Sections 3, 4, 5 of Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act, 1956 and under Section 143(2), 144(2) and 3(5) of BNS.

(ii) Crime No. 383/2023 registered with Barshi Police Station for the offences punishable under Sections 509 and 506 of IPC. (iii) Crime No. 448/2023 registered with Barshi Police Station for the offences punishable under Sections 327, 326, 324, 504,

{3} 506, 143, 147, 148, 149 of IPC.

(iv) Crime No. 817/2020 registered with Barshi Police Station for the offences punishable under Sections 307, 427, 504 r/w 34 of IPC, under Section 4, 25 of Arms Act and Section 135 of Maharashtra Police Act.

6.

There is no merit in the contention of the applicant that it was he who had informed the police about illegal prostitution business, as it is revealed during the investigation that applicant himself is indulged in the illegal human trafficking for prostitution by forming organised crime syndicate. Since there are serious allegations against the applicant, the applicant does not deserve discretionary relief of anticipatory bail. The application is therefore rejected. (NITIN B. SURYAWANSHI, J.)