Mukesh Sharad Bhandari v. The State Of Maharashtra And ANR

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY

CRIMINAL APPELLATE JURISDICTION CRIMINAL BAIL APPLICATION NO. 1192 OF 2026 Mukesh Sharad Bhandari ....Applicant

Versus

The State of Maharashtra and anr.

....Respondents _________________________________________________________________ Mr. Prasanna Shahane along with Mr. Nakul Zagare, Advocate for Applicant.

Mr. S. R. Agarkar, APP for Respondent-State.

Mr. Nikhil P. Mallelwar, Advocate for Respondent No.2. _________________________________________________________________

CORAM

: SHIVKUMAR DIGE, J.

DATE : 5th MAY, 2026.

P.C. :

1.

By this application, the applicant is seeking regular bail in Crime No. 1593 of 2024 registered with Hadapsar Police Station, District Pune, for the offences punishable under Sections 64(2), 65(1), 351(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 and Sections 4, 6, 8 and 12 of Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012. 2.

It is prosecution's case that the applicant sexually assaulted the minor daughter of the first informant by threatening her. 3.

It is contention of learned counsel for the applicant that the applicant is behind bars for more than 18 months. He has no antecedents. Digitally signed by SHUBHADA SHANKAR KADAM Date:

2026.05.06 20:14:09 +0530 SHUBHADA SHANKAR KADAM There is delay in lodging the complaint and requested to allow the

application.

4.

It is contention of learned APP that the victim was 13 years and 11 months old at the time of the incident. The applicant sexually assaulted her by threatening her. If he is released on bail, he may abscond or threaten the victim and prosecution witnesses and requested to reject the application.

5.

It is contention of learned counsel for respondent No. 2 that respondent No. 2 has no objection if the bail application is allowed. 6.

I have heard all learned counsel, perused charge-sheet and documents produced on record. The applicant is behind bars for more than 18 months. There is delay in lodging the complaint. 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. 1593 of 2024 registered with Hadapsar 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.)