Imran Babalal Parande v. The State Of Maharashtra And Another
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY
CIRCUIT BENCH AT KOLHAPUR CRIMINAL APPELLATE JURISDICTION CRIMINAL BAIL APPLICATION NO. 306 OF 2026 IMRAN BABALAL PARANDE
VERSUS
THE STATE OF MAHARASHTRA AND ANOTHER ...
Advocate for Applicant : Mr. Parvej N. Nadaf APP for Respondents No.1 and 3 : Mr. Nitin B. Patil Advocate for Respondent No.2 : Ms. Prajakta Bhilugade ...
CORAM : SACHIN S. DESHMUKH, J.
DATE : 04-05-2026 PER COURT:- 1.
The applicant seeks regular bail in connection with Crime No.113 of 2024 dated 09.04.2024 registered with Shahuwadi Police Station, District Kolhapur, for the offences punishable under Sections 354, 354-A, 341, 323, 506 of the Indian Penal Code and under Section 12 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offence Act. In the said crime, the applicant was arrested on 09.04.2024. Upon completion of the investigation, the chargesheet is filed on 06.06.2024.
2.
The prosecution case is that the complainant, who is the father of the minor victim, alleged that on 08.04.2024, at approximately 10:00 AM, the applicant-accused intercepted the victim while she was returning home from school. The accused forcibly held the victim's hand and claiming his love for her
exceeded that for his wife and demanding she marry him immediately. Upon the victim's refusal to accompany him, issuing threats and attempting to strike her with an empty glass bottle. Although the victim successfully fended of the bottle, the accused then physically assaulted her by slapping her. Hence, the report is lodged.
3.
Learned counsel for the applicant submits that The applicant has been falsely implicated due to a personal family dispute, asserting that the allegations are exaggerated improvements made as an afterthought and an unexplained delay in lodging the report. It is submitted that the essential ingredients of the alleged offences are not attracted, as there are no independent eyewitnesses nor any recovery to connect the applicant to the crime. With the investigation now complete and the chargesheet filed, custodial interrogation is no longer necessary. Having been in custody since April 9, 2024, and considering that the trial is likely to be prolonged, further incarceration would amount to pretrial punishment. Therefore prays to be admitted to bail. 4.
Learned A.P.P. for respondent No.1 strongly opposed the bail application, emphasizing the grave and serious nature of the offences committed against a minor victim and submitted that since the applicant resides in the same locality as the victim, his
release at this stage would create a high risk of witness intimidation and tampering with evidence. The prosecution contends that the applicant is likely to pressure the minor victim and her family to withdraw the allegations, thereby obstructing the course of justice. Considering the potential threat to the victim's safety and the integrity of the upcoming trial, prayed for rejection of the application.
5.
The learned counsel for respondent No.2/victim on instructions makes a statement that there is no objection for the release of the Applicant on bail.
6.
Upon considering the submissions of the litigating sides and perusing the material on record, including the chargesheet, it is evident that there are no eye witnesses to the alleged incident. The investigation is complete and the chargesheet is iled. Nothing is to be further recovered at the instance of the applicant. 7.
As far as the apprehension expressed by the learned APP is concerned, same can be adequately dealt by imposing stringent conditions. Consequently, given the completion of the investigation, the length of incarceration already served, and the "No Objection" from the victim's counsel, the court inds it it to grant bail subject to strict conditions to ensure the safety of the victim and the integrity of the trial.
8.
Hence, the order:-
ORDER
(i) The bail application is allowed.
(ii) Applicant, Imran Babalal Parande, be released on bail on furnishing P.B. and S.B. of Rs.50,000/- (Rs.Fifty Thousand), with one solvent surety of the like amount in Crime No. 113 of 2024 dated 09.04.2024 registered with Shahuwadi Police Station, District Kolhapur, for the offences punishable under Sections 354, 354-A, 341, 323, 506 of the Indian Penal Code and under Section 12 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offence Act, on the conditions that; (a) The applicant shall not pressurize the prosecution witnesses and shall not tamper with the prosecution evidence, in any manner.
(b) The applicant shall attend the trial on each and every date unless exempted by the trial Court.
(c) The applicant shall submit their Aadhar and Pan Cards to the Investigation Officer and detailed addresses and phone numbers of applicant 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. (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.
[SACHIN S. DESHMUKH] JUDGE rrd