Maroti Anandrao Alias Bharat Nalawade v. The State Of Maharashtra And Another

2026:BHC-AUG:15268 1 909.ABA-518-2026.doc

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY

BENCH AT AURANGABAD ANTICIPATORY BAIL APPLICATION NO. 518 OF 2026 MAROTI ANANDRAO ALIAS BHARAT NALAWADE

VERSUS

THE STATE OF MAHARASHTRA AND ANOTHER WITH CRIMINAL APPLICATION NO. 1231 OF 2026 IN ABA/518/2026 VIDHYA GANESH SELGAONKAR

VERSUS

MAROTI ANANDRAO ALIAS BHARAT NALAWADE AND ANOTHER ...

Advocate for Applicant : Mr. Suraj R. Bagal h/f Mr. Gadegaonkar Bharat N.

APP for Respondents/State : Mr. P. D. Patil Advocate for assisting prosecution : Mr. R. S. Patil ...

CORAM : MEHROZ K. PATHAN, J.

DATE : 8th APRIL 2026 PER COURT :

1.

Heard the learned Counsel Mr. Bagal holding for Mr. Gadegaonkar for the Applicant, learned Assisting Counsel Mr. Patil and the learned APP Mr. Patil for the Respondent/State. 2.

The Applicant has approached this Court, seeking anticipatory bail application in connection with Crime No.451/2025 registered with Hadgaon Police Station, District Nanded for the

2 909.ABA-518-2026.doc offences punishable under Sections 74, 356(2) of the Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023.

3.

The learned Counsel further submits that the Applicant is falsely implicated in the present crime. The Applicant was in a consensual love affair with the complainant. The Applicant further relies upon the WhatsApp messages exchanged between the Applicant and the complainant. The Applicant had informed the complainant that the girl was engaged to another boy. It was at the request of the girl that the Applicant conveyed information about their relationship, along with certain photographs, to the relatives of the boy to whom she was engaged. This was done only with the intention that the engagement should not culminate in marriage, as the girl herself was not interested in marrying the said boy. The learned Counsel for the Applicant submits that the girl was being married against her wishes by her parents. The Applicant is not a criminal history-sheeter and is ready to abide by any conditions that may be imposed by this Court. Hence the Applicant may be protected.

4.

As against this, the learned APP and the learned Assisting Counsel strongly oppose the present application on the ground that the Applicant has continuously threatened the victim with dire consequences if she does not marry the Applicant. The Applicant has also sent messages to the family members of the boy to whom the girl was engaged, with the intention of cancelling the marriage of the

3 909.ABA-518-2026.doc complainant fixed with the said boy. The engagement ceremony was scheduled on 18.12.2025. Thereafter, the Applicant continuously attempted to intimidate the girl, the family members of the complainant, as well as the boy to whom the complainant was engaged. There are WhatsApp messages which show that the Applicant has given clear threats of dire consequences to the complainant. The learned Assisting Counsel further submits that if the Applicant is released on bail, there is every likelihood that he may again commit cognizable offences, thereby causing threats to the complainant, prejudice to the prosecution case, and danger to the life of the complainant and her family members. Hence this is not a fit case to grant anticipatory bail to the Applicant. 5.

The learned APP further submits that there is every likelihood that the Applicant may commit a cognizable offence against the victim girl. The prosecution has already obtained the WhatsApp chats, messages, relevant photographs, and screenshots of Instagram chats exchanged between the girl and the Applicant, wherein the Applicant is seen extending threats to the complainant. There are serious allegations of outraging the modesty of the complainant, allegedly committed on 17.12.2025 and there are allegations that the Applicant sent messages to the boy engaged to the complainant and his family members with the intention of cancelling the marriage ceremony.

6.

I have gone through the investigation papers made available

4 909.ABA-518-2026.doc by the learned APP. A perusal of the record shows that there are several WhatsApp exchanges between the Applicant and the complainant. The photographs annexed to the application also indicate that the Applicant had a consensual relationship with the complainant. The victim is a major girl. The photographs and WhatsApp messages prima facie demonstrate that there was a consensual relationship between the Applicant and the complainant. The submission of the Applicant that the messages were sent at the behest of the complainant girl and the submission that false FIR is registered by the complainant under pressure of her parents, cannot be ruled out at this stage.

.

Be that as it may, these are observations prima facie in nature and are made only with the purpose of deciding the application and may not influence the trial Court. The apprehension of the learned APP as well as the learned Assisting Counsel can be taken care of by imposing stringent conditions upon the Applicant. I am inclined to protect the Applicant. Hence, the following order:

ORDER

(i) In the event of arrest of the Applicant - Maroti Anandrao Alias Bharat Nalawade in connection with Crime No.451/2025 registered with Hadgaon Police Station, District Nanded for the offences punishable under Sections 74, 356(2) of the Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, he be released on bail on furnishing P.R. bond of Rs.50,000/- (Rupees Fifty Thousands) with two solvent sureties in the like amount, on the following conditions :

5 909.ABA-518-2026.doc (ii) The Applicant is directed to attend Hadgaon Police Station, District Nanded on 15th, 16th, 22nd, 23rd, 29th, and 30th April of 2026 between 11:00 am. to 01:00 pm. and thereafter as and when called by the Investigating Officer till filing of the charge-sheet. (iii) The Applicant is directed not to tamper with the evidence and shall not threaten the complainant or the witnesses. (iv) The Applicant shall hand over the mobile phone and the photographs and videos of the complainant available with the Applicant to the Investigating Officer. The Applicant shall provide the alternate address of his residence to the Investigating Officer. (v) The Applicant shall not enter the village Niwgha Bazar, Taluka Hadgaon, District Nanded till the recording of the evidence of the complainant girl before the trial Court.

(vi) The Applicant shall attend the trial on each and every date unless so exempted by the trial Court on emergency conditions. (vii) The Applicant shall submit his Aadhar and PAN Cards to the Investigating Officer and detailed addresses and phone numbers of himself and two of the near relatives.

(viii) A single violation of the aforesaid conditions, would entitle the prosecution to seek cancellation of bail of the Applicant on that ground.

(ix) With the aforesaid directions, the application is disposed of. (x) The application for assisting the prosecution is also disposed of.

MEHROZ K. PATHAN JUDGE NAJEEB..