Vaibhav Ashok Patil v. State Of Maharashtra And ANR.
Digitally signed by CHITRA SANJAY SONAWANE Date:
2026.04.06 17:35:03 +0530 CHITRA SANJAY SONAWANE Chitra Sonawane 8-ABA-3520-2025.doc
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY
CRIMINAL APPELLATE JURISDICTION Criminal Anticipatory Bail Application No.3520 of 2025 Vaibhav Ashok Patil Age: 38 yrs, Occ: Service, R/at B-605, Plot No.46, Payal Heritage, Shilp Chowk, Sector-20, Kharghar, Panvel ... Applicant.
Vs.
1. The State of Maharashtra At the instance of Sr Inspector of Police, Manpada Police Station, Thane, through the Public Prosecutor's office, Hon'ble Bombay High Court, Mumbai.
2. XYZ (Through Manpada police station) ... Respondents.
--- Mr Aabad Ponda, Sr Counsel, a/w Jugal Kanani, Minal Chandnani and Rajesh Ranglani, Monish Bhatia i/by Jaiwant Chandnani & Associates for the applicant. Ms GP Mulekar, APP for the respondent/ State. API KR Patil, Manpada Police station.
--- Coram : R.N.Laddha, J.
Date : 6 April 2026.
P.C. :
The applicant apprehending arrest in connection with Page No. 1 of 5
Chitra Sonawane 8-ABA-3520-2025.doc CR No.1384 of 2025, registered at Manpada Police Station, Thane, for the offences punishable under Sections 69 and 351(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, has filed the present application seeking pre-arrest bail.
2.
According to the prosecution, between June 2024 and November 2025, under the false pretext of marriage, the applicant engaged in physical relations with the informant. Subsequently, when the prosecutrix discovered that the applicant had maintained relations with other women, she confronted him when he threatened her and reneged on his commitment.
3.
Mr Aabad Ponda, the learned Senior Counsel appearing on behalf of the applicant, asserting the applicant's innocence, contends that the applicant has been falsely implicated in the crime. He submits that both the applicant and the informant/victim are consulting and married adults who were engaged in a consensual relationship. The FIR is completely silent on the alleged recording of obscene videos. The applicant is ready and willing to comply with the conditions imposed by this Court, including surrendering his mobile phone and Page No. 2 of 5
Chitra Sonawane 8-ABA-3520-2025.doc undergoing a medical examination. The learned Senior Counsel also relies upon the decision in Pramod Navratna vs. State of Chhattisgarh, 2026 SCC OnLine SC 154 to submit that the applicant is entitled for grant of pre-arrest bail.
4.
Ms GP Mulekar, the learned Additional Public Prosecutor representing the respondent/ State, opposes the applicant's request for pre-arrest bail and contends that the offence is of a serious nature. It is submitted that the applicant engaged in forcible sexual relations with the informant under the false pretence of marriage, which constitutes a serious breach of trust and exploitation. The learned APP expresses concerns about potential tampering with evidence or the influence of witnesses if the applicant is granted pre-arrest bail. However, she acknowledges that the investigation has concluded except for the recovery of the applicant's mobile phone and his medical examination. 5.
Upon perusing the records, it appears that both the applicant and the victim are consenting, married adults who were involved in a consensual relationship. Their relationship appears to have lasted from June 2024 to Page No. 3 of 5
Chitra Sonawane 8-ABA-3520-2025.doc November 2025. The learned APP acknowledges that the investigation is complete except for the recovery of the applicant's mobile phone and his medical examination, and nothing is to be recovered or discovered from the applicant. To address concerns about tampering with evidence or influencing witnesses, appropriate conditions can be imposed. In these circumstances, the present application is allowed in the following terms:
ORDER
(i) In the event of the applicant's arrest in CR No.1384 of 2025, registered at Manpada Police Station, Thane, he shall be released on bail upon executing a PR Bond of Rs.25,000/- and furnishing one or more sureties in the like amount.
(ii) The applicant shall attend the concerned Police Station to surrender his mobile phone and undergo medical examination, and thereafter, as and when required by the investigating officer.
Page No. 4 of 5
Chitra Sonawane 8-ABA-3520-2025.doc (iii) The applicant, himself or through any other person, shall refrain from contacting the victim in any manner whatsoever.
(iv) The applicant, either himself or through any other person, shall not indulge in any activities that may lead to evidence tampering or witness influence.
6.
The application stands disposed of accordingly. [R. N. Laddha, J.] Page No. 5 of 5