Shreyas Yogesh Joshi v. The State Of Maharashtra And ANR.

2026:BHC-NAG:3763

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY

NAGPUR BENCH, NAGPUR.

CRIMINAL APPLICATION [B.A.] NO. 202 OF 2026 Shri Ravi Tantumal Taram @ Taramal -- VERSUS -- The State of Maharashtra and Another __________________________________________________________________________ Office Notes, Office Memoranda of Coram, appearances, Court's orders of directions Court's or Judge's orders.

and Registrar's Orders.

Mr. A.B. Moon, Advocate for the Applicant.

Ms. S.Z. Haider, A.P.P. for the Non-applicant No.1/State. Ms. Sanika Durugkar, Advocate h/f. Mr. S.S. Dhengale, Advocate for the Non-applicant No.2.

CORAM :

M.M. NERLIKAR, J.

DATE :

MARCH 05, 2026.

Heard.

2.

The present application is filed seeking regular bail in Crime No.1166/2025 for the offence punishable under Section 64(2)(m) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, read with Sections 4 and 6 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012, registered with Police Station Buttibori, District Nagpur.

3.

The present crime was registered based on a report lodged by the victim girl, aged about 17 years. She has stated that about eight to nine months prior, she came into contact with the accused, Ravi Taram, through Instagram, and later they communicated over phone. It is alleged that in June

and July 2025, the accused would come to the agricultural field where she resided and repeatedly had physical relations with her against her will and would also verbally abuse her. Due to fear of accused, she did not inform her parents initially. Later, when she missed her menstrual cycle, she was taken to a hospital where medical examination confirmed her pregnancy. Based on her report, the F.I.R. came to be lodged.

4.

The learned counsel for the applicant submits that there is settlement between the parties and the applicant is likely to get married with the victim as soon as she attains the age of majority. He further submits that when the offence was committed, the victim was of 17 years of age and the applicant was of 26 or 27 years of age. Now the families of both the parties have decided to settle the matter and, therefore, the victim has filed the reply stating that she has no objection if the bail is granted to the applicant.

5.

On the other hand, the learned A.P.P.

vehemently opposes the application and submits that the victim is minor and considering her age, the applicant does not deserve bail. The learned counsel, Ms. Durugkar, appearing for victim, has given no objection for grant of bail.

6.

Considering the fact that the victim has filed reply giving no objection to release applicant. After release of the applicant and on attaining majority by the victim, they both are going to marry each other and, therefore, I am inclined to grant bail to the present applicant by imposing conditions. Hence, the following order:-

O R D E R

(i) The Criminal Application is allowed;

(ii) The applicant/accused (Shri Ravi Tantumal Taram @ Taramal) be released on regular bail in connection with Crime No.1166/2025 for the offence punishable under Section 64(2)(m) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, read with Sections 4 and 6 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012, registered with Police Station Buttibori, District Nagpur, on his furnishing a P.R. bond of Rs.25,000/- (Twenty Five Thousand Rupees) with one solvent surety in the like amount;

(iii) The accused shall not directly or indirectly make any inducement, threat or promise to any person acquainted with the facts of the case, as also shall not tamper with the evidence;

(iv) The accused shall provide his residential address and cell number to Police Station concerned and shall not change his place of residence without prior intimation to the Investigating Agency;

(v) The accused shall attend each and every date of trial regularly. If he fails to attend the trial for two consecutive dates, or fails to comply with the aforesaid conditions, his default would entail the State to ask for cancellation of bail or even trial Court suo moto take cognizance of this and cancel the bail;

(vi) Pending Misc. Application(s), if any, also stand disposed of.

[ M.M. NERLIKAR, J ] Piyush Mahajan