Akshay Ramchandra Dhonge v. State Of Maharashtra And ANR
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY CRIMINAL APPELLATE JURISDICTION BAIL APPLICATION NO. 1161 OF 2026 Akshay Ramchandra Dhonge ... Applicant
Versus
The State of Maharashtra and Anr.
... Respondents _________________________________________________________________ Mr. Vishal Kolekar, Advocate for the Applicant. Mr. B.B.Kulkarni, APP for the Respondent-State. Mr. Harshvardhan Patil a/w. Mr. Yash Kamble, Advocates for Respondent No.2.
API - Shitalkumar D., Wadgaon Maval Police Station, Pune. present. _________________________________________________________________ by SONALI SATISH KILAJE Date:
2026.03.30 10:10:03 +0700 SONALI SATISH KILAJE
CORAM
: SHIVKUMAR DIGE, J.
DATE : 25th MARCH, 2026.
P.C. :
1.
By this application, the Applicant is seeking regular bail in C.R.No. 315 of 2025 registered with Vadgaon Maval Police Station, Pune, for the offences punishable under Sections 64(2), 64(2)(f), 64(2)(i), 64(2) (m) and 65(1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 (for short "BNS Act") and Sections 4 and 6 of Protection of children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012 (for short "POCSO Act").
2.
It is prosecution's case that during period from June-2025 to October-2025, the applicant sexually assaulted the victim who was a minor and thereafter impregnated her. It is alleged that the applicant is the maternal brother of the victim.
3.
It is contention of learned counsel for the applicant that there is delay in lodging the complaint. It is submitted that there was love affair between the applicant and victim. The applicant has no antecedents. It may take time to conclude the trial. Hence, requested to allow the application.
4.
It is contention of learned APP that at the time of incident, the victim was more than 14 years old. The applicant sexually assaulted her and impregnated her. The applicant was aware about the age of the victim. The medical papers produced on record supports the prosecution's case. If the applicant is released on bail, he may threaten victim and prosecution witnesses. Hence, requested to reject the application. 5.
Learned counsel for respondent No.2 submits that respondent No.2 has no objection to allow the bail application. 6.
I have heard both the learned counsel. Perused chargesheet and documents produced on record. There is delay in lodging the complaint The complaint was lodged, when the first informant came to know about her pregnancy. Earlier no complaint was lodged. The applicant has no antecedents. The applicant is 21 years old. 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. 315 of
2025 registered with Vadgaon Maval Police Station, 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. 7.
The application is allowed in the aforesaid terms and is accordingly disposed of. All pending applications, if any, disposed of. 8.
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.
9.
All concerned to act on the authenticated copy of this order. (SHIVKUMAR DIGE, J.)