Pradip Prakash Tadakhe v. The State Of Maharashtra And Others

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY CIRCUIT BENCH AT KOLHAPUR CRIMINAL APPELLATE JURISDICTION CRIMINAL BAIL APPLICATION NO. 142 OF 2026 Pradip Prakash Tadakhe

VERSUS

The State of Maharashtra And Others ...

Mr. Mohan M. Chavan a/w Mr. Sumit S. Dhanawade, Advocate for Applicant.

Ms. Sakshi Patil, Advocate for Respondent No.3. Mr. Nitin B. Patil, APP for the respondent Nos.1 and 2-State. ...

CORAM : SACHIN S. DESHMUKH, J.

DATE : 6th APRIL, 2026.

P. C. :

1.

The applicant seeks regular bail in connection with C.R. No. 588 of 2025 dated 08.09.2025 registered with Karad Taluka Police Station, District Satara for the offences punishable under Sections 65(2) of the Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 and Sections 4 & 6 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012. 2.

Learned Counsel for the applicant submits that the applicant has been falsely implicated in the case. The medical report does not support the prosecution case. Investigation is completed and the charge-sheet is filed. The trial is unlikely to commence and conclude within a reasonable period. As such, further incarceration of the Digitally signed by SAJAKALI LIYAKAT JAMADAR Date:

2026.04.06 20:24:15 +0530 SAJAKALI LIYAKAT JAMADAR 1 of

applicant is unjustified. Hence, prayed to allow the application. 3.

Per contra, learned APP and learned counsel for Respondent No.3 opposed the application submitting that the offence is serious in nature. The minor child is victimized by the present applicant which disentitle the applicant to be admitted to the bail. An apprehension is also expressed that if the applicant is enlarged on bail, there is every possibility of tampering prosecution witnesses. Hence, prayed to reject the application.

4.

Upon considering submissions of both sides and perusal of the material on record, including charge-sheet indicates that the applicant is the neighbour of the informant, who is the mother of the victim. The applicant allegedly committed sexual assault on the minor, prima facie, same is not supported by medical examination. Apart from same, there are prima facie, material inconsistencies in the prosecution witnesses in relation to sequence of event allegedly taken place.

5.

Given that the the investigation is complete and considering that the applicant is in custody since his arrest, further detention of the applicant may amount to pre-trial detention which is neither justified nor warranted.

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6.

Apart from the aforesaid aspects, having regard to the number witnesses which the prosecution proposes to examine, it is very unlikely that the trial can be commenced and concluded within a reasonable period. In this view of the matter, further incarceration of the applicant would be unjustified. As far as the apprehension expressed by the learned A.P.P. in relation to tampering prosecution witnesses is concerned, the same can be adequately taken care of by imposing stringent conditions. I am, therefore, persuaded to exercise the discretion in favour of the applicant. 7.

Hence, the order :-

O R D E R

I.

The bail application is allowed.

II.

Applicant - Pradip Prakash Tadakhe be released on bail, on furnishing P.R. bond in the sum of Rs.50,000/- (Rs.Fifty Thousand) with one or two local solvent sureties, in the like amount, in connection with C.R. No. 588 of 2025 dated 08.09.2025 registered with Karad Taluka Police Station, District Satara for the offences punishable under Sections 65(2) of the Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 and Sections 4 & 6 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012, on the following conditions :- 3 of

(a) The applicant shall not pressurize the prosecution witnesses and tamper with the prosecution evidence, in any manner.

(b) The applicant shall not enter the jurisdiction of Karad Taluka Police Station till conclusion of trial except attending the dates before the concerned Court. (c) The applicant shall attend the trial on each and every date unless exempted by the trial Court. (d) The applicants shall submit Aadhar and Pan Cards to the Investigating Officer and detailed address, where they are likely to reside as well as their own phone numbers and that of their two near relatives. (e) In case of breach of any of the conditions by the applicant, it is open for the Prosecution to approach the concerned Court seeking cancellation of bail, notwithstanding the fact that this Court has granted bail. III.

Needless to state that the observations rendered herein are to the extent of this application and the trial Court shall not be influenced by the same.

IV Learned counsel appointed to represent Respondent No.3 be paid professional fees as per Rules.

[SACHIN S. DESHMUKH, J.] 4 of