Ravindra Sanjay Koli v. The State Of Maharashtra And ORS.

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY CIRCUIT BENCH AT KOLHAPUR CRIMINAL APPELLATE JURISDICTION CRIMINAL BAIL APPLN. NO. 161 OF 2026 Ravindra Sanjay Koli

VERSUS

The State Of Maharashtra And Ors.

...

Mr. Pratik G. Tare i/b Mr. S. Y. Mane, Advocate for Applicant Mr. P. P. Deokar, APP for the Respondent-State Ms. Purva Patil, appointed for respondent no. 3 ...

CORAM : SACHIN S. DESHMUKH, J.

DATE : 1st APRIL, 2026.

P. C. :

1.

The applicant is seeking regular bail in C.R. No. 436/2025 dated 12/09/2025 registered with Hatkanangale Police Station, IRESH MASHAL District Kolhapur for offences punishable under Sections 137(2), Digitally signed by IRESH MASHAL Date:

2026.04.01 20:14:20 +0530 64(2)(m) of Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 and under Sections 8 and 12 of Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012. 2.

Learned counsel for the applicant submits that the applicant and victim were in consensual relationship. The victim had reached the age of understanding and being aware of the consequences, accompanied the applicant and travelled with alongwith him. In any 1 of

case, investigation is complete. Further incarceration of the applicant would be unjustified.

3.

Per contra, learned APP and learned counsel for respondent no. 3 vehemently opposed the application submitting that the victim is minor and she was sexually exploited by the present applicant which dis-entitles the applicant to be admitted to the bail. 4.

Upon considering the submissions of learned counsel for the applicant, learned APP and learned counsel for respondent no. 3, and perusal of material on record, indicates that initially the F.I.R. was lodged against an unknown person for having kidnapped the victim.

5.

Further perusal of the statement of the victim prima facie indicates that the victim was in relationship with the applicant and since, she was to be forcefully married to someone else, the victim called the applicant and accompanied with him. Given the age of the victim i.e. 17 years 5 months as well as her conduct, sufficiently establishes that the victim was aware of the consequences and voluntarily joined the company of the applicant and it is thereafter, allegation of sexual assault is levelled. Thus, there is a possibility of 2 of

over implication.

6.

Nevertheless, the investigation is complete for all intent and purpose and the charge-sheet is filed to that effect. Having regard to the number of witnesses which the prosecution proposes to examine, the trial is unlikely to conclude within a reasonable period. As such, case for warranting exercise in favour of the applicant is made out.

7.

Hence, following order:

O R D E R

I.

The bail application is allowed.

II.

Applicant, Ravindra Sanjay Koli 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. 436/2025 dated 12/09/2025 registered with Hatkanangale Police Station, District Kolhapur for offences punishable under Sections 137(2), 64(2)(m) of Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 and under Sections 8 and 12 of Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012, on the following conditions :- (a) The applicant shall not pressurize the prosecution witnesses and tamper with the prosecution evidence, in any manner.

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(b) The applicant shall attend the trial on each and every date unless exempted by the trial Court. (c) The applicant shall submit Aadhar and Pan Cards to the Investigating Officer and detailed address and phone numbers and two of the near relatives.

(d) In case of breach of any of the conditions by the applicant, it is open for the Prosecution to move the concerned Court seeking cancellation of bail, notwithstanding the fact that this Court has granted the bail.

8.

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.

9.

Professional fees of Rs. 10,000/- to be paid to learned counsel appointed to represent respondent no. 3.

[SACHIN S. DESHMUKH, J.] 4 of