Pritam Chandrakant Jadhav v. State Of Maharashtra
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY
CRIMINAL APPELLATE JURISDICTION ANTICIPATORY BAIL APPLICATION NO.2397 OF 2025
1. Sangita Chandrakant Jadhav
2. Chandrakant Dashrath Jadhav ...Applicants
Versus
State of Maharashtra
...Respondent
WITH ANTICIPATORY BAIL APPLICATION NO.2416 OF 2025 Pritam Chandrakant Jadhav ...Applicant
Versus
State of Maharashtra
...Respondent
Mr. Shailesh Chavan a/w Mr. Hrishikesh Avhad and Mr. Shrikant Panhale, for Applicants in both ABAs Mr. Sameer M. Mangaonkar, APP for the State in both ABAs. Mr. Satyam A.Surana, Appointed Advocate for Respondent No.2 in both ABAs API, Sawant, Yerwada Police Station, Pune City present.
CORAM:
MADHAV J. JAMDAR, J.
DATED :
27th November 2025 P.C.:
1.
Heard Mr. Shailesh Chavan, learned Counsel appearing for the Applicants, Mr. Mangaonkar, learned APP for the State and Mr. Surana, learned Counsel appointed to represent the interest of Respondent No.2.
2.
By this application filed under Section 482 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 ("BNSS"), the Applicants are
seeking pre-arrest bail in connection with C.R. No.198 of 2025 registered with Yerwada Police Station, Pune, for the offences punishable under Sections 80, 85, 108 and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 ("BNS").
3.
As per the prosecution case, the Applicant- Pritam Chandrakant Jadhav in ABA No. 2416 of 2025 is Accused No.1 and husband of the deceased. The Applicants in ABA No. 2397 of 2025 i.e. Chandrakant Jadhav and Sangita Jadhav are Accused Nos. 2 and 3 in said crime. As per the prosecution case, marriage between the deceased and Accused No.1 took place on 21st November 2024 and as there was harassment and demand of dowry, the deceased returned back to the parents' house on 13th January 2025 and the incident in question where the deceased died by suicide took place on 19th March 2025. On 19th March 2025 at about 3.00 p.m., there was conversation between the mother of the deceased and Accused No.2- Sangita i.e. mother-in-law of the deceased and mother-inlaw of the deceased informed the mother of the deceased that as the family of the deceased cheated her son, there is no question of cohabitation and thereafter immediately on the very day at 8.00 p.m., deceased was found in a room and she died by suicide.
4.
It is the submission of Mr. Chavan, learned Counsel for the Applicants that the deceased was staying with her parents from 13th January 2025 till 19th March 2025 when the incident took place and therefore the Applicants are not involved in the crime. He submits that there are no other antecedents. He submits that in any case, custodial interrogation is not necessary. 5.
On the other hand, Mr. Mangaonkar, learned APP and Mr. Surana, learned Counsel appointed to represent interest of the Respondent No.2 submitted that the mother-in-law of the deceased i.e. Accused No.2 on 19th March 2025 at 3.00 p.m. during telephonic conversation expressed that they would not allow the deceased to cohabit together with the Accused No.1 i.e. husband and immediately at 8.00 p.m., deceased was found in a room and she died by suicide. Thus, it is submitted that the incident of death by suicide has taken place due to action of mother-in-law. It is further submitted that there was a demand of dowry and the incident has taken place within a period of four months of marriage and therefore there is presumption of guilt. Therefore, both of them submitted that the Anticipatory Bail Applications be dismissed.
6.
Perusal of record shows that the marriage between the deceased and the Accused No.1 took place on 24th November 2024 and deceased was staying with her parents since 13th January 2025. The incident in question took place on 19th March 2025. As per the prosecution case, on 19th March 2025, at about 3.00 p.m., the mother of the deceased had a talk with Accused No.2 where she expressed that they would not allow the deceased to cohabit together with the Accused No.1. Thus the main allegations concerning offence under Section 108 of the BNS are against the Accused No.2- Mother-in-Law and not against the Accused No.1Husband and the Accused No.3- Father-in-Law. 7.
Prima facie, the Accused No.2 is involved in the crime. However, the Accused No.2, is a lady of 57 years. In the facts and circumstances, custodial interrogation is not necessary. Accordingly, by imposing conditions, Anticipatory Bail Applications can be granted. Hence, following Order is passed:
O R D E R
(i) In the event of arrest, the Applicants - 1) Sangita Chandrakant Jadhav and 2) Chandrakant Dashrath Jadhav in ABA No. 2397 of 2025 and Applicant-
Pritam Chandrakant Jadhav in ABA No. 2416 of 2025 be released on bail in C.R. No.198 of 2025 registered with Yerwada Police Station, Pune, on executing P.R. bonds of Rs.50,000/- each and furnishing one or two solvent sureties in the like amount.
(ii) The Applicants shall attend the concerned Police Station as and when called by the Police and shall cooperate with the investigation. (iii) The Applicants shall furnish their cell phone numbers and residential address to the Investigating Officer and shall keep the same updated, in case of any change thereto.
(iv) The Applicants 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 Applicants shall not leave India without prior permission of the Court.
(vi) The Applicants shall not tamper with the prosecution evidence and shall not contact or influence the Complainant, or any witness, in any manner.
8.
The Anticipatory Bail Applications are allowed and disposed of accordingly.
9.
This Court places on record appreciation of the assistance rendered by Mr. Satyam Surana, learned Advocate appointed to represent the interest of the Respondent No.2. The High Court Legal Services Authority is requested to pay his professional charges, as per rules.
BHALCHANDRA GOPAL DUSANE (MADHAV J. JAMDAR, J.) BHALCHANDRA GOPAL DUSANE Date: 2025.12.02 12:14:27 +0530