Basavraj Sidram Navale v. The State Of Maharashtra And ANR

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY CIRCUIT BENCH AT KOLHAPUR CRIMINAL APPELLATE JURISDICTION ANTICIPATORY BAIL APPLICATION NO.224 OF 2026 Basavraj Sidram Navale ... Applicant

Versus

The State of Maharashtra and another ... Respondents *** Mr. Hrishikesh Shinde, for the Applicant.

Mr. S.S. Choudhary, A.P.P, for Respondents - State. Mr. V.V. Jadhav, A.P.I, Foujdar Chavadi Police Solapur City present. *** Digitally signed by SHAILAJA SHRIKANT HALKUDE Date:

2026.04.29 18:53:23 +0530 SHAILAJA SHRIKANT HALKUDE

CORAM

: M. W. CHANDWANI, J.

DATE : 29th APRIL, 2026.

P. C. :

1.

The applicant is apprehending arrest in connection with Crime No.0236 of 2026 registered with Foujdar Chavadi Police Station, District Solapur for the offences punishable under Section 4 of the Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961, Sections 316 (2), 115 (2), 109, 127 (2), 85, 318 (4) r/w 3 (5) of Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023.

2.

Issue notice to the non applicants - State.

3.

Learned A.P.P waives service on behalf of the non-applicants - State. 4.

Heard the learned counsel for the applicant and the learned A.P.P, for the non-applicant - State as well as the Investigating officer who is present in court today with the case diary. I have gone through the case diary.

5.

It appears that, with the assistance of the applicant, the complainant received a proposal for the marriage of his two daughters with twin brothers, namely Ajay Chintamani and Vijay Chintamani. The allegation levelled against the present applicant is that he informed the complainant that each of the boys was earning Rs. 50,000/-per month and that their father is dead. Relying upon his statement, marriages of the complainant's two daughters were solemnized on 10th February, 2026 at Solapur. 6.

It appears that, subsequent to solemnization of the marriage, there were demands for dowry made by Ajay and Vijay, along with the in-laws of the complainant's daughters. It is further alleged in the complaint that the husbands of the complainant's daughters, namely Ajay and Vijay, along with their relatives not only assaulted the complainant's daughters but also attempted to commit their murder. Based on the complaint, the aforesaid crime came to be registered against the applicant and other co-accused. 7.

There are no allegations against the present applicant pertaining to the commission of any act of assault or making any demand for dowry. The sole allegation levelled against the present applicant is that at the time of initiating and facilitating the matrimonial alliance with Ajay and Vijay, he is alleged to have misrepresented that both these individuals were earning a sum of Rs.50,000/- per month each as well as the fact that their father was no longer alive.

8.

Considering the role attributed to the present applicant, no recovery is required to be effected from him. Therefore, custodial interrogation of the applicant does not appear to be necessary. The applicant is serving as a Headmaster and thus, there is no likelihood of his absconding or fleeing from

justice. The applicant has also undertaken to co-operate with the investigation. Hence, the following order:

: O R D E R :

(a) The Anticipatory Bail Application is allowed. (b) In the event of arrest in connection with Crime No.0236 of 2026 registered with Foujdar Chavadi Police Station, District Solapur for the offences punishable under Section 4 of the Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961, Sections 316 (2), 115 (2), 109, 127 (2), 85, 318 (4) r/w 3 (5) of Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, Applicant - Basavraj Sidram Navale shall be released on bail on furnishing a P.R bond in the sum or Rs.25,000/-with one solvent surety in the like amount.

(c) The applicant to appear before the concerned Police Station on 6th May and 8th May, 2026 and co-operate in the investigation. (d) The applicant shall not tamper with the prosecution evidence or threaten the prosecution witnesses in any manner. 9.

With this, the Anticipatory Bail Application stands disposed of. [M. W. CHANDWANI, J.]