Meghana @ Pallavi Vikas Matale v. The State Of Maharashtra And ORS.

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY

CRIMINAL APPELLATE JURISDICTION ANTICIPATORY BAIL APPLICATION NO.9 OF 2025

1. Vikas Balasaheb Matale

2. Vilas Balasaheb Matale ...Applicants

Versus

The State of Maharashtra

...Respondent

WITH INTERIM APPLICATION NO.103 OF 2025 IN ANTICIPATORY BAIL APPLICATION NO.9 OF 2025 Meghana @ Pallavi Vikas Matale ...Applicant

Versus

The State of Maharashtra & Ors.

...Respondents

Mr. Nitin Gaware Patil a/w. Mr. Narayan Rokade, Mr. Shubham Jangam and Mr. Ram Chandra Wagh, for the Applicants in ABA/9/2025.

Ms. R. V. Newton, APP, for the Respondent No.1-State. Mr. S. P. Dighe a/w. Mr. Abhijeet Khade, for the Intervenor/Applicant in IA/103/2025.

CORAM:

MADHAV J. JAMDAR, J.

DATED :

23rd FEBRUARY 2026 PC:- 1.

Heard Mr. Nitin Gaware Patil, learned Counsel appearing for the Applicants, Ms. Newton, learned APP appearing for the

Respondent No.1-State and Mr. Dighe, learned Counsel appearing for the Intervenor.

2.

This application is filed under Section 482 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 seeking pre-arrest bail in connection with C.R. No.826 of 2024 registered with Ambad Police Station, Nashik City, Nashik, for the offences punishable under Sections 498-A, 377, 354, 323, 504, 506 read with 34 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860.

3.

The prosecution case is set out in paragraph No. of the order dated 19th December 2024 passed by the learned Additional Sessions Judge, Nashik in Criminal Bail Application No.2543 of 2024, which reads as under:

"It is contended that, within 1-1 1⁄2 months from the marriage, the husband and in-laws of the complainant started demanding money and gold. On denial by her parents, the accused started ill treated her. Her husband sexually assaulted her by doing unnatural intercourse. Her brother-in-law used to embraced her by showing videos from his mobile. The accused were beating, abusing her and threatening her that if she will tell about the same to her parents, they will kill her. Hence, informant lodged report against the applicants."

4.

It is the submission of Mr. Gaware Patil, learned Counsel appearing for the Applicants that the Applicant No.1-husband filed proceedings seeking divorce against the First Informant on 23rd October 2024 and thereafter, false FIR has been lodged on 7th December 2024. Learned Counsel submits that a learned Single Judge has already protected the Applicants by order dated 7th January 2025 and the said order continues till date. It is further submitted that the chargesheet has already been filed. Learned Counsel submits that there are no antecedents against the Applicants. Therefore, he prays that the Anticipatory Bail Application be allowed.

5.

On the other hand, Ms. Newton, learned APP and Mr. Dighe, learned Counsel appearing for the Intervenor- First Informant submitted that the offence is very serious. The Applicant No.1 has been subjected to harassment including sexual harassment. In fact, the Applicant No.2-brother-in-law has also subjected the First Informant to sexual harassment. Both of them therefore, submitted that the Anticipatory Bail Application be rejected.

6.

Perusal of the record shows that there is matrimonial dispute between the Applicant No.1-husband and the First Informant-wife. The Applicant No.1 has filed divorce proceeding on 23rd October 2024 and thereafter, subject FIR has been filed on 7th December 2024. In any case, the chargesheet is filed and therefore, investigation is completed.

7.

A learned Single Judge has already granted interim protection by order dated 7th January 2025 which continues till date i.e. for last more than one year. There is nothing on record to indicate that the said interim protection has been misused. There are no antecedents against the Applicants. However, the Applicants and the First Informant are staying in the jurisdiction of Ambad Police Station, Nashik City, Nashik and therefore, stringent conditions are required to be imposed.

8.

Accordingly, the case is made out for grant of Anticipatory Bail by imposing certain conditions. In view thereof, the following order is passed:

O R D E R

(a) In the event of arrest of the Applicant No.1-Vikas Balasaheb Matale and the Applicant No.2-Vilas Balasaheb Matale in connection with C.R. No.826 of 2024 registered with the Ambad Police Station, Nashik City, Nashik, the Applicants are directed to be released on bail on their furnishing P.R. Bond in the sum of Rs.1,00,000/- each with one or two solvent sureties each in the like amount.

(b) The Applicants shall attend the Ambad Police Station, Nashik City, Nashik, on every Sunday between 11:00 a.m. to 02:00 p.m. till conclusion of the trial. (c) The Applicants shall furnish their cell phone number and residential address to the Investigating Officer and shall keep the same updated, in case of any change thereto.

(d) The Applicants 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.

(e) The Applicants shall not tamper with the prosecution evidence and shall not contact or influence the Complainant or any witness in any manner.

(f) The Applicants shall deposit their Passport with the Investigating Officer.

(g) The Applicants shall not leave India without prior permission of the learned Trial Court/concerned Sessions Court.

9.

The Anticipatory Bail Application is disposed of accordingly. [MADHAV J. JAMDAR, J.] Digitally signed by SONALI MILIND PATIL Date:

2026.02.24 17:46:07 +0530 SONALI MILIND PATIL