Akshay S/O Awadhut Tighalwad v. State Of Maharashtra Thr Pso., Ps Aarni, Tah. Aarni, Dist. Yavatmal

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY CRIMINAL APPELLATE JURISDICTION CRIMINAL BAIL APPLICATION NO. 428 OF 2026 Krushna Chandrakant Shinkar ... Applicant

Versus

State Of Maharashtra And Anr ... Respondents ____________________________________________________________ Mr.Niranjan Bhavake a/w Ms.Drishti Madhani, Mr.Anurag Ramekar and Ms.Vaishnavi Chore i/b Mr.Sushant Tayade, for the Applicant. Mr.S.S. Pednekar, APP for Respondent-State.

Mr.K.V. Mali, for Respondent No.2.

by NILAM SANTOSH KAMBLE Date: 2026.02.25 11:31:26 +0530 NILAM SANTOSH KAMBLE ____________________________________________________________ CORAM : SHIVKUMAR DIGE, J.

DATE : 23rd FEBRUARY 2026 P.C. :

.

By this Application, the Applicant is seeking regular bail in Crime No.116 of 2025 registered with Paud Police Station, Pune, for the offences punishable under Sections 137(2), 64(2)(f)(i)(m) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 ('BNS' for short) and under Sections 4,6,8 and 12 of the Protection of Children From Sexual Offences Act, 2012( 'POCSO' for short).

2.

It is prosecution's case that the Applicant sexually assaulted the victim by threatening her.

3.

It is contention of learned counsel for the Applicant that at the time of the incident, the victim was sixteen years old. There is delay of five months in lodging the complaint. The Applicant is behind bars for more than six months. The Applicant has no antecedents. There is no progress in trial, and requested to allow the Application. 4.

It is contention of learned APP that the Applicant kidnapped the victim and sexually assaulted her. If the Applicant released on bail, he may abscond or threaten Victim, First Informant and prosecution witnesses, and requested to reject the Application. 5.

It is contention of learned counsel for Respondent No.2 that the First Informant and Victim are present in Court and they have no objection to allow the Application.

6.

I have heard all learned counsel. Perused charge-sheet and documents produced on record.

7.

The Applicant is behind bars for more than six months. At the time of the incident, the victim was sixteen years old. There is delay of five months in lodging the complaint. The Applicant has no antecedents. There is no progress in trial. It may take time to conclude the trial.

8.

Considering these facts, I pass following order.

ORDER

(i) The Applicant-Krushna Chandrakant Shinkar be released on bail in Crime No.116 of 2025 registered with Paud Police Station, Pune, on furnishing PR bond of Rs.25,000/- with one or two solvent sureties in the like amount.

(ii) The Applicant shall not tamper with the evidence and/or influence the prosecution witnesses.

(iii) The Trial Court shall decide the case on its own merits and in accordance with law, uninfluenced by the observations made in this order.

(iv) The Applicant shall attend the concerned Police Station as and when required.

(v) Application is allowed in the aforesaid terms. (SHIVKUMAR DIGE, J.)