Vilas Karbhari Wahul v. State Of Maharashtra

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY

CRIMINAL APPELLATE JURISDICTION ANTICIPATORY BAIL APPLICATION NO. 3220 OF 2025 Vilas K. Wahul ...Applicant V/s.

The State of Maharashtra & Anr.

...Respondents.

..............

Mr. Sanjay R. Singh a/w. Mr. Siddharth Singh and Mr. Ratnesh Thakur for the Applicant.

Mrs. Anagha Deshmukh, APP for the Respondent/State. Ms Kanchan Pawar, Legal Aid Advocate for Respondent No.2. API Anil Daphal, Ghatkopar Police Station is present. ..............

CORAM

:

N.R. BORKAR, J.

DATE :

12.12.2025.

P.C. :

1.

This is an application for anticipatory bail. 2.

The applicant is apprehending his arrest in Crime No. 1183 of 2025 registered at Ghatkopar Police Station for the offences punishable under Section 64 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023.

3.

According to the prosecution, on the date of incident which took place on 24th October 2025, the present applicant had allegedly induced the victim to accompany him to one Hotel Golden Palace at Kurla (W), Mumbai. It is further alleged that there the applicant offered the victim to drink Wine mixed with an intoxicating substance and committed forcible sexual intercourse 1/3

with her while she was intoxicated.

4.

I have heard the learned counsel appearing for the applicant, the learned APP for the respondent / State and the learned counsel for respondent No.2/first informant.

5.

Learned counsel for the applicant submits that the victim is a commercial sex worker. It is submitted that false allegations are made against the applicant just to extort money from him. In support of his submissions, learned counsel for the applicant has drawn my attention to the WhatsApp Chat between the present applicant and the victim.

6.

On the other hand, learned APP for the respondent/State and the learned counsel for the respondent No.2/first informant submit that the applicant is involved in serious offence of rape. It is submitted that considering the nature of crime, the applicant may not be released on anticipatory bail.

7.

I have perused the WhatsApp Chat between the present applicant and the victim. Prima facie, there appears to be substance in the submission of the learned counsel for the applicant. In that view of the matter, I am inclined to release the applicant on anticipatory bail. In the result, the following order is passed.

2/3

ORDER

A) The Application is allowed.

B) In the event of arrest of the applicant in C.R. No. 1183 of 2025 registered at Ghatkopar Police Station for the offences punishable under Section 64 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, he be released on bail on executing P.R. Bond in the sum of Rs.25,000/- with one surety 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 cooperate in the investigation.

[N.R.BORKAR, J.] 3/3