Mangesh Sadashiv Bhandare v. The State Of Maharashtra And Another
2026:BHC-AUG:20384
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE OF BOMBAY
BENCH AT AURANGABAD CRIMINAL APPLICATION NO.1154 OF 2026 Mangesh Sadashiv Bhandare, Age: 24 years, Occu:- Education, R/o. Village Pimpran, Taluka- Purna and Dist. Parbhani.
...APPLICANT
Versus
1.
The State of Maharashtra Through the Police Sub Inspector, Chudava Police Station, Tq. Purna & Dist. Nanded.
2.
XYZ ...RESPONDENTS ...
Advocate for Applicant : Mr. S.N. Janakwade APP for Respondent State no.1-State: Mr. S.R. Yadhav Lonikar Advocate for Respondent no. 2 : Mr. R.S. Patil ...
CORAM : S.G. CHAPALGAONKAR, J.
Dated : May 06, 2026 ...
FINAL ORDER :- 1.
Present application is filed with following prayer :- "A) Your Lordship may graciously be pleased to quash and set aside the First Information Report bearing Crime No. 129/2024 dated 28/05/2024 registered at Chudava Police Station, Taluka- Purna and Dist. Parbhani for offence punishable under section 354-D, 506, 500 and Section 11 and 12 of Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012 [POCSO ACT] and also seeking of quashing and setting aside the impugned charge-sheet bearing No.132/2024 dated 30.6.2024 and entire criminal proceeding like special case [pocso] No.
127/2024 pending before the learned Additional Sessions Judge-2 Parbhani."
2.
On 10.4.2026 learned counsel appearing for applicant and respondent no.2 jointly submits that parties have arrived at amicable settlement of dispute and wish to file on record terms of such settlement. Accordingly, they were relegated to learned Registrar (Judicial) of this Court.
3.
Report of learned Registrar (Judicial) is received. Applicant, respondent no.2 and her parents presented themselves before learned Registrar of this Court. Respondent no.2 and her parents tendered affidavit containing terms and conditions of compromise, whereby consent is given for quashing the FIR and consequential proceeding. 4.
Investigation was set in motion on the basis of information given by victim/respondent no.2. She was aged about 16 years and pursuing her education in 10th standard. In nutshell, it is alleged that on 26.1.2024 while she was on her way to home from school, accused offered her samosas. Thereafter, he used to call her on cell phone of her father. He expressed his affection towards her and persuaded her to call him. He used to follow her after school hours. On 27.5.2024
when result of 10th examination was declared, he uploaded screenshot of her mark-sheet on social media with caption "Congratulations Jaan". Due to aforesaid post, she has been defamed in village. Aforesaid information was culminated into registration of FIR no.129 of 2024 for offences punishable under sections 354-D, 506, 500 of IPC and section 11 and 12 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act,2012 (for short POCSO) Act.
5.
FIR and investigation papers depict that prima facie, it is difficult to make out any offence under section 354-D of Indian Penal Code, so also section 11 and 12 of the POCSO Act. This is not a case, where applicant stalked or repeatedly or constantly followed victim with sexual intent. The applicant was aged about 22 years at the time of registration of offence. There is no criminal antecedents to discredit the applicant. 6.
The applicant and respondent no.2 have amicably settled the dispute. Respondent no.2 is not willing to prosecute applicant for alleged offences. Parents of respondent no.2 have also submitted affidavit in this regard.
7.
In that view of the matter, particularly, looking to nature of allegations in the FIR, young age of applicant and victim, so
also amicable settlement arrived amongst them, this Court finds that there are no chances of conviction of applicant on trial for any offence. The victim and her family members would face unnecessary harassment. The conduct of trial would be wastage of judicial time. Hence, case is made out to exercise inherent powers under section 482 of the Criminal Procedure Code and grant relief, as prayed.
8.
In result, Criminal Application is allowed in terms of prayer clause "A" and disposed of.
( S. G. CHAPALGAONKAR ) Judge.
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AAA/f