Hanumant Dada Jadhav v. The State Of Maharashtra

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY

CRIMINAL APPELLATE JURISDICTION ANTICIPATORY BAIL APPLICATION NO.2498 OF 2025 Hanumant Dada Jadhav ...Applicant

Versus

State of Maharashtra & Anr.

...Respondents

Mr. Ganesh Bhujbal, Advocate for Applicant.

Ms. S.K. Gajre, APP for the State.

Mr. Ankur Pahade a/w Ms. Mitali Gaikwad for Respondent No.2 Police Hawaldar, S.Y. Zambre, Bhigwan Police Station, Pune Rural present.

CORAM:

MADHAV J. JAMDAR, J.

DATED :

4th December 2025 P.C.:

1.

At the outset, Mr. Bhujbal, learned Counsel for the Applicant seeks leave to amend cause title. Leave as sought is granted. Amendment be carried out forthwith. Reverification is dispensed with.

2.

Heard Mr. Bhujbal, learned Counsel appearing for the Applicant, Mr. Pahade, learned Counsel for the Respondent No.2 and Ms. Gajre, learned APP for the State.

3.

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 with Bhigwan Police Station, Pune Rural, for the offences punishable under Sections 74, 119(1), 127(2), 333 and 352 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 ("BNS").

4.

The prosecution case is set out in paragraph No.2 of the Order dated 7th August 2025 passed by the learned Additional Sessions Judge, Indapur, District-Pune in Criminal Bail Application No. 194 of 2025, which reads as under :

"That on 07.06.2025 informant victim lady lodged the FIR with Bhigwan Police Station alleging that on 06.06.2025 around 8.30 p.m., while she was present at the back door of the house, her neighbour i.e. present applicant Hanumant started to approach towards her and therefore, she entered inside her house. Thereafter, applicant followed her inside the house and put inner latch to the door of the house. As soon as she screamed, he threatened to kill her and her children. He also embraced her and thereby her modesty was affected. While escaping from her house, he snatched gold ornament from her neck. Making such allegation, she lodged FIR in the Indapur Police Station. Accordingly, C.R. No. 158/2025 came to be registered at Bhigwan Police Station. Applicant

Hanumat apprehends his arrest in the present crime and therefore, he is seeking protection by way of anticipatory bail."

5.

It is the submission of Mr. Bhujbal, learned Counsel for the Applicant that the Applicant is not involved in the crime. The Charge-sheet is already filed. Although there is one antecedent being Crime No.232 of 2018, registered with Bhigwan Police Station, Taluka Indapur, Pune Rural, the Applicant has been granted bail by Order dated 18th January 2019 passed by the learned Single Judge in Criminal Bail Application No.3404 of 2018.

6.

On the other hand, Mr. Pahade, learned Counsel for Respondent No.2 and Ms. Gajre, learned APP strongly oppose the Application. Both of them submit that the offence is very serious and therefore custodial interrogation of the Applicant is necessary. Both of them submit that as the Applicant is neighbour of the First Informant and it is likely that the Applicant will bring pressure on the First Informant and therefore Anticipatory Bail Application be rejected.

7.

Perusal of record shows that the Charge-sheet is already filed. Thus the investigation is completed. This Court by Order

dated 12th September 2025 has granted interim protection. By said Order dated 12th September 2025, the Applicant has been directed to attend Bhigwan Police Station, Pune Rural on 17th September 2025, 18th September 2025 and 22nd September 2025, which the Applicant has complied with. As the investigation is completed and Charge-sheet is filed, the case is made out for grant of anticipatory bail. However, as the Applicant is the neighbour of the First Informant, stringent conditions are required to be imposed. Hence, following Order is passed:

O R D E R

(i) In the event of arrest, the Applicant - Hanumant Dada Jadhav be released on bail in C.R. No.158 of 2025 registered with Bhigwan Police Station, Pune Rural, on executing P.R. bond of Rs.50,000/- and furnishing one or two solvent sureties in the like amount.

(ii) The Applicant shall attend the concerned Police Station once in a week i.e. on each Monday between 11.00 a.m. to 1.00 p.m., till conclusion of the trial.

(iii) The Applicant shall furnish his 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 leave India without prior permission of the Court.

(vi) The Applicant 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 Application is allowed and disposed of accordingly.

BHALCHANDRA GOPAL DUSANE (MADHAV J. JAMDAR, J.) BHALCHANDRA GOPAL DUSANE Date: 2025.12.11 19:24:22 +0530