Ganesh Baban Shelke v. State Of Maharashtra And ANR
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY
CRIMINAL APPELLATE JURISDICTION CRIMINAL BAIL APPLICATION NO. 320 OF 2026 Ganesh Baban Shelke .....Applicant versus The State of Maharashtra and anr.
....Respondents _________________________________________________________________ Ms. Pooja Agarwal i/b. Mr. Prakash Chavan, Advocate for Applicant. Ms. Kranti T. Hiwrale, APP for Respondent No.1-State. Mr. B. V. Inamdar, Advocate for Respondent No.2. _________________________________________________________________
CORAM
: SHIVKUMAR DIGE, J.
DATE : 29th APRIL, 2026.
P.C. :
1.
By this application, the applicant is seeking regular bail in Crime No. 234 of 2024 registered with Ranjangoan MIDC Police Station, District Pune, for the offences punishable under Sections 363, 366, 376(2) (n)(m) of the Indian Penal Code 1860 and Sections 4, 6, 8 and 12 Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012. 2.
It is prosecution's case that the applicant kidnapped the minor daughter of the first informant and sexually assaulted her on various occasions.
3.
It is contention of learned counsel for the applicant that there SHUBHADA SHANKAR KADAM was a love affair between the applicant and the victim. At the time of the SHUBHADA SHANKAR KADAM Date: 2026.05.05 11:04:25 +0530 incident, the victim was around 16 years old. She stayed with the applicant
for one year and six months and during that period, she did not file any complaint against anyone. The applicant has no antecedents. The applicant is behind bars for around one year. There is no progress in the trial. Hence, requested to allow the application.
4.
It is contention of learned APP along with learned counsel for respondent No.2 that the applicant kidnapped the victim by threatening her and sexually assaulted her on various occasions. If the applicant is released on bail, he may threaten the victim and prosecution witnesses. Hence, requested to reject the application.
5.
I have heard all learned counsel, perused charge-sheet and documents produced on record. At the time of the incident, the victim was around 16 years old. She stayed with the applicant for one year and six months, but she did not lodge any complaint against him during the said period. The applicant is behind bars for around one year. The applicant has no antecedents. It may take time to conclude the trial. Considering these facts, I pass following order:
ORDER
(i) The applicant be enlarged on bail in Crime No. 234 of 2024 registered with Ranjangoan MIDC Police Station, District Pune, on executing P.R.Bond in the sum of Rs.30,000/- with one or two sureties in the like amount.
(ii) The applicant shall attend the concerned police station as and when required.
(iii) The applicant shall not tamper with the evidence or attempt to influence or contact the complainant, witnesses or any person concerned with the case.
The application is allowed in the aforesaid terms and is accordingly disposed of.
6.
It is made clear that the above observations are made only for the purpose of granting bail and the Trial Court shall decide the case on its own merits in accordance with law and uninfluenced by the observations made in this order.
7.
All concerned to act on the authenticated copy of this order. (SHIVKUMAR DIGE, J.)