Vaishali Ganpat Sonawane v. State Of Maharashtra

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY

CRIMINAL APPELLATE JURISDICTION ANTICIPATORY BAIL APPLICATION NO. 2835 OF 2025 Vaishali Ganpat Sonawane ...Applicant V/s.

The State of Maharashtra

...Respondent

Mr. Arjun Lingalod, Advocate for the Applicant. Mr. V. N. Sagare, APP for the Respondent/State.

CORAM

:

N.R. BORKAR, J.

DATE :

14.10.2025.

P.C. :

1.

This is an application for Anticipatory Bail. 2.

The applicant is apprehending his arrest in Crime No. 838 of 2025 registered at Powai Police Station, for the offences punishable under Sections 3, 4 & 5 of the Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act.

3.

On 05.08.2025, pursuant to secret information, a raid was conducted at Dreams Saloon and Spa, Powai Plaza, Hiranandani Gardens, Powai, Mumbai. It is alleged that during the said raid the applicant and other co-accused were found to be running prostitution activity there.

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4.

I have heard the learned counsel for the applicant and the learned APP for the respondent-State.

5.

The learned counsel for the applicant submits that the applicant has nothing to do with the alleged crime. It is submitted that the applicant was working in the said spa as therapist. It is submitted that there are no other criminal antecedents against the applicant. Learned counsel for the applicant, on instructions, submits that the applicant without prejudice to her rights and contentions is willing to deposit Rs.50,000/- with charitable organization working for rehabilitation of victims of prostitution activity.

6.

On the other hand, the learned APP for the respondentState submits that the applicant was working as a manager of the said spa. It is submitted that considering the nature of crime the applicant may not be released on anticipatory bail. 7.

I have perused the statements of the victims. They have not stated that the present applicant induced them to engage in prostitution activities. There are no other criminal 2/4

antecedents against the present applicant. Considering the said facts, I am inclined to release the applicant on anticipatory bail. In the result, the following order is passed :

O R D E R

a) The Application is allowed.

b) In the event of arrest of the applicant in connection with Crime No. 838 of 2025 registered at Powai Police Station, for the offences punishable under Sections 3, 4 & 5 of the Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act, the applicant be released on bail on furnishing P.R. Bond in the sum of Rs. 25,000/- with one or two sureties in the like amount.

c) The applicant shall attend the concerned police station as and when called by the investigating officer and shall co-operate in the investigation.

d) The applicant shall pay the amount of Rs.50,000/- to "Kshamata NGO, 6x27+R4R, 3/4

Prathamesh Niwas, behind Ranka Banquet, Ramchandra Nagar No.-2, Thane (west), Thane, Maharashtra, 400604, within a period of four weeks and shall submit the receipt of payment to the concerned police station.

[N.R.BORKAR, J.] 4/4