Shridhar Sundara Shetty v. The State Of Maharashtra

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IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY

CRIMINAL APPELLATE JURISDICTION ANTICIPATORY BAIL APPLICATION NO.2760 OF 2025 Shridhar Sundara Shetty ... Applicant V/s.

The State of Maharashtra ... Respondent ----- Ms. Anjali Patil a/w Tohid Shaikh for the Applicant. Ms. R. D. Humane, APP for the Respondent-State. ----- CORAM :

N.R. BORKAR, J.

DATE :

16TH OCTOBER 2025 P.C. :

Digitally signed by MUGDHA MANOJ PARANJAPE Date:

2025.10.28 15:53:27 +0530 MUGDHA MANOJ PARANJAPE 1.

This is an Application for anticipatory bail. 2.

The Applicant is apprehending his arrest in Crime No.301 of 2025 registered with Kashimira Police Station for the offences punishable under Sections 143(3) and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 and Sections 3, 4, 5 & 8 of the Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act. 3.

It is the case of the prosecution that the first informant and other victims approached the Hotel Suryaprakash Lodge for securing the job. It is alleged that the Applicant, who was working as Manager of the said Hotel, had induced them to engage in prostitution activity. It is alleged that the Applicant was accepting Rs.3,000/-from the customer and was paying them Rs.1,000/-.

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I have heard Learned Counsel for the Applicant and Learned APP for the Respondent-State.

5.

Learned Counsel for the Applicant submits that the Applicant has nothing to do with the alleged crime. It is submitted that there is no need of custodial interrogation. It is further submitted that there are no criminal antecedents of similar nature against the Applicant. The Learned Counsel for the Applicant, on instructions, submits that the Applicant, without prejudice to his rights and contentions, is willing to pay an amount of Rs.1,00,000/- to the charitable organisation working for rehabilitation of the victims of prostitution activity.

6.

On the other hand, Learned APP for the Respondent-State submits that the Applicant persuaded the victims to engage in a prostitution activity. It is submitted that the Applicant is involved in one more crime for the offences punishable under Sections 308 read with 34 of the IPC. It is submitted that considering the nature of crime, the Applicant may not be released on anticipatory bail.

7.

I have perused the statement of the victims. From their statements, prima facie, it is difficult to infer that the present Applicant persuaded them to engage in a prostitution activity. There is no need for custodial interrogation. In that view of the matter, I am inclined to release the Applicant on anticipatory bail. Hence, the following order:

ORDER

i.

The Anticipatory Bail Application is allowed.

3 906-ABA 2760-25.doc ii.

In the event of the arrest of the Applicant in Crime No.301 of 2025 registered with Kashimira Police Station for the offences punishable under Sections 143(3) and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 and Sections 3, 4, 5 & 8 of the Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act, he shall be released on bail on furnishing a PR Bond in the sum of Rs.25,000/- (Rupees Twenty Five Thousand Only) with one or two sureties in the like amount.

iii. The Applicant shall not commit any other crime. iv.

The Applicant shall not enter into the limits of Kashimira Police Station till conclusion of the trial.

v.

The Applicant shall deposit a sum of Rs.1,00,000/- with the following charitable organisation within a period of four weeks and shall submit a receipt to the concerned Police Station. The details are as follows:

Rescue Foundation Registered under Bombay Public Trust Act, 1950 Plot No.39, Fatima Devi Road, Poisar Bus Depot, Kandivali (West), Mumbai Contact : 9820210705 email : admin@rescuefoundation.net vi. Liberty is granted to the prosecution to file an application for cancellation of anticipatory bail in case the Applicant commits breach of any of the above conditions.

8.

The present Anticipatory Bail Application is disposed of in the aforesaid terms.

(N.R. BORKAR, J.)