Aakash Satish Mehata v. State Of Maharashtra

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY

CRIMINAL APPELLATE JURISDICTION ANTICIPATORY BAIL APPLICATION NO.2841 OF 2025 Aakash Satish Mehta ...Applicant

Versus

State of Maharashtra

...Respondent

Mr. Priyal G. Sarda a/w Ms. Seema S. Dighe, Advocate for Applicant.

Ms. S.M. Yadav, APP for the State.

PSI, Mr. Nandkishor Jadhav, Wanwadi Police Station, Pune present.

CORAM:

MADHAV J. JAMDAR, J.

DATED :

17th October 2025 P.C.:

1.

Heard Mr. Sarda, learned Counsel appearing for the Applicant and Ms. Yadav, learned APP for the State. 2.

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.366 of 2025 registered with Wanwadi Police Station, Pune City, for the offences punishable under Sections 143, 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita, 2023 ("BNS") and Sections 3, 4 and 5 of Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act, 1986 ("PITA").

3.

As per the prosecution case on 11th September 2025, on the basis of secret information, the police staff effected raid at Eiva Spa, Second Floor, Shop No. 299, M Avenue Shopping Mall, Pune Solapur Road, Wanwadi Pune. The present applicant/accused Akash Mehta is the owner of said Spa Center. One Ashwini Waghmare is the Manager. At that time, many ladies were found over there, who were forced and induced into prostitution under the business of spa center. With these allegations the FIR came to be lodged.

4.

There are two Accused. Accused No.1- Ashwini Waghmare is the Manager of said spa centre and the present Applicant is the owner. Accused No.1- the Manager has been arrested and released on bail.

5.

Mr. Sarda, learned Counsel for the Applicant submits that the offence as applicable to the present Applicant is under Section 3 of the PITA Act and the maximum punishment for said offence is three years. He states that the Applicant will co-operate with the investigation.

6.

Ms. Yadav, learned APP strongly opposes grant of anticipatory bail to the Applicant.

7.

However, in the facts and circumstances, the Applicant is entitled to pre-arrest bail. Hence, following Order is passed:

O R D E R

(i) In the event of arrest, the Applicant - Aakash Satish Mehta be released on bail in connection with C.R.No.366 of 2025 registered with Wanwadi Police Station, Pune City, on executing P.R. bond of Rs.1,00,000/- and furnishing one or two solvent sureties in the like amount.

(ii) The Applicant shall attend the concerned Police Station on 30th October 2025 and 31st October 2025 between 11.00 a.m. to 2.00 p.m. and thereafter as and when called by the Police and shall co-operate with the investigation.

(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 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.

(MADHAV J. JAMDAR, J.)