Govindraj Jagannath Shetty v. State Of Maharashtra

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY CRIMINAL APPELLATE JURISDICTION BAIL APPLICATION NO. 526 OF 2026 Govindraj Jagannath Shetty ... Applicant

VERSUS

State Of Maharashtra ... Respondent _________________________________________________________________ by SONALI SATISH KILAJE Date:

2026.03.13 14:37:35 +0700 SONALI SATISH KILAJE Ms. Pranali Kakde a/w. Mr. Dhammaraj Shejul, Advocates for Applicant. Mr. B. B. Kulkarni, APP for the Respondent-State. _________________________________________________________________

CORAM

: SHIVKUMAR DIGE, J.

DATE : 11th MARCH, 2026.

P.C. :

1.

By this application, the Applicant is seeking regular bail in C.R.No. 257 of 2025 registered with Talegaon Dabhade Police Station, Pimpri Chinchwad, Pune, for the offences punishable under Sections 143(3) of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 (for short "BNS Act") and Sections 3, 4, 5 and 7 of Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act. 2.

It is prosecution's case that, on secret information police raided one lodge and in the said raid, police found prostitution was going on in the said lodge. It is alleged that applicant is the owner of said lodge. 3.

It is contention of learned counsel for the applicant that the applicant is behind bars for around five months. Investigation is completed. Chargesheet has been filed. The victims found in the lodge were major. They have not stated anything against the applicant. The

applicant has no antecedents and requested to allow the application. 4.

It is contention of learned APP that prostitution was going on in the lodge owned by the applicant. The statement of victims has been recorded. In the said statements, they have stated about prostitution and amount given to the applicant. It shows involvement of the applicant in the crime. If the applicant is released on bail, he may abscond or threaten prosecution witnesses and requested to reject the application. 5.

I have heard both the learned counsel. Perused chargesheet and documents produced on record. The applicant is behind bars for around seven months. The applicant has no antecedents. There is no progress in the trial. It may take time to conclude the trial. Considering these facts, I pass following order.

ORDER

i.

The applicant be enlarged on bail in C.R.No. 257 of 2025 registered with Talegaon Dabhade Police Station, Pimpri Chinchwad, Pune, on executing P.R.Bond of Rs. 30,000/- on furnishing 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. 6.

The application is allowed in the aforesaid terms and is accordingly disposed of. All pending applications, if any, disposed of. 7.

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.

8.

All concerned to act on the authenticated copy of this order. (SHIVKUMAR DIGE, J.)