Ismat Sharafat Ali v. State Of Maharashtra

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY

CRIMINAL APPELLATE JURISDICTION CRIMINAL BAIL APPLICATION NO. 1626 OF 2026 Ismat Sharafat Ali ....Applicant

Versus

The State of Maharashtra ....Respondent _________________________________________________________________ Mr. Premkumar Mishra (through VC) along with Mr. Achut Shinde and Mr. Aakash Nikat, Advocate for Applicant.

Ms. Kranti Hiwrale, APP for Respondent-State. _________________________________________________________________

CORAM

: SHIVKUMAR DIGE, J.

DATE : 5th MAY, 2026.

P.C. :

1.

By this application, the applicant is seeking regular bail in Crime No. 4 of 2026 registered with Nigdi Police Station, Pimpri Chinchwad, District Pune, for the offences punishable under Sections 143(3) and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 and Section 3, 4, 5 and 7 of Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act, 1986. 2.

It is prosecution's case that the applicant was the manager of a spa where prostitution was going on.

3.

It is contention of learned counsel for the applicant that the applicant is behind bars for more than four months. Other co-accused, against whom similar allegations are made, have been released on bail. Digitally signed by SHUBHADA SHANKAR KADAM Date:

2026.05.06 20:14:11 +0530 The applicant has no antecedents and requested to allow the application. SHUBHADA SHANKAR KADAM

4.

It is contention of learned APP that on a secret information, police raided the spot and found that prostitution was going on in the spa of which the applicant was the manager. The applicant was taking amount from the customers and providing them victims for sexual intercourse. The statement of the victims has been recorded and they have stated against the applicant. If the applicant is released on bail, he may threaten the prosecution witnesses and requested to reject the application. 5.

I have heard both learned counsel, perused charge-sheet and documents produced on record. All the victims who were released by the police from the spa are majors. The applicant is behind bars for more than four months. The investigation is complete and charge sheet has been filed. The co-accused, against whom similar allegations are made, have been released on bail. Considering these facts, I pass following order:

ORDER

(i) The applicant be enlarged on bail in Crime No. 4 of 2026 registered with Nigdi Police Station, Pimpri Chinchwad, 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.)