Prema Basavraj Navale v. The State Of Maharashtra And ANR.

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY CIRCUIT BENCH AT KOLHAPUR CRIMINAL APPELLATE JURISDICTION CR. ANTICIPATORY BAIL APPLICATION. NO. 264 OF 2026 Prema Basavraj Navale

...Petitioner

Versus

The State Of Maharashtra And Anr

...Respondents

------ Ms. Neha G. Deshpande i/b. Mr. Hrishikesh Shinde, Advocate for the applicant.

Dr. Ashwini Takalkar, APP for respondents-State. Mr. Vijay jadhav, API Solapur City.

------ Coram : MEHROZ K. PATHAN, J.

Date : June 15, 2026.

P. C. :

1.

Heard learned Counsel for the Applicant and learned APP for the Respondent-State.

2.

The Applicant has approached this Court seeking anticipatory bail in connection with Crime bearing FIR No.0236 of 2026 dated 24th February 2026 registered with Faujdar Chavadi Police Station, District Solapur, for the offences punishable under Sections 318(4), 85, 127(2), 109, 115(2), 316(2) and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 and

Section 4 of the Dowry Prohibition Act.

3.

The case of the prosecution is that the Applicant and her husband acted as mediators in arranging the marriage of the complainant's daughter. It is alleged that they misrepresented to the complainant that the proposed bridegroom was earning Rs.25,000/- per month and that his father was deceased. Relying upon the said representations, the complainant agreed to solemnize the marriage of her daughter with the proposed bridegroom. Subsequently, the complainant discovered that the information furnished by the Applicant and her husband was allegedly false, leading to registration of the present crime. 4.

Ms. Neha Deshpande, learned Counsel holding for Mr. Hrishikesh Shinde, learned Counsel for the Applicant, submits that the Applicant has been falsely implicated in the present crime. It is submitted that the husband of the Applicant has already been granted anticipatory bail in the present crime vide order dated 29th April 2026 passed in Anticipatory Bail Application No.224 of 2026, despite identical allegations having been levelled against him.

5.

Learned Counsel for the Applicant further submits that even if the allegations in the FIR are accepted at their face value, the only role attributed to the Applicant is that she, along with her husband, brought the marriage proposal to the complainant. It is submitted that the

Applicant was granted interim protection by this Court vide order dated 8th May 2026. The Applicant has no criminal antecedents and is ready and willing to abide by any conditions that may be imposed by this Court. Hence, it is prayed that the Applicant be protected. 6.

Learned APP strongly opposes the application on the ground that the Applicant intentionally deceived the complainant and dishonestly misrepresented material facts regarding the proposed bridegroom, including his income and family background. It is submitted that the ingredients of the offence of cheating are clearly attracted against the Applicant and her husband. Learned APP, however, fairly states that the husband of the Applicant, against whom identical allegations are made, has already been granted anticipatory bail and has cooperated with the investigation. Learned APP submits that appropriate orders may be passed in the facts of the present case.

7.

I have gone through the allegations made in the FIR, the investigation papers and the order dated 29th April 2026 passed in favour of the husband of the Applicant, namely Basavraj Sidram Navale, in Anticipatory Bail Application No.224 of 2026. I do not find any distinguishing circumstance which would justify denial of similar protection to the present Applicant. The Applicant has already been protected by this Court vide interim order dated 8th May 2026 and there

are no allegations that she has misused the liberty granted to her. The Applicant does not have any criminal antecedents. 8.

Taking into consideration the role attributed to the Applicant, the fact that her husband has already been granted anticipatory bail on identical allegations, and the absence of any criminal antecedents, I am inclined to confirm the interim protection granted to the Applicant. The apprehensions expressed by the learned APP can be adequately addressed by imposing stringent conditions. Hence, the following order:

ORDER

I) The interim order dated 8th May 2026 is hereby confirmed. II) In the event of arrest of the Applicant - Mrs. Prema Sidram Navale, she be released on bail on furnishing P.R. Bond of Rs.50,000/- (Rupees Fifty Thousand only) with two solvent sureties in the like amount, in connection with the Crime bearing Fir No.0236 of 2026 dated 24th February 2026 registered at Faujdar Chavadi Police Station, District: Solapur, for the offences punishable under Sections 318 (4), 85, 127 (2), 109, 115 (2), 316 (2), 3 (5) of the Bhariya Nyaya Sanhita and Section 4 of the Dowry Prohibition Act, on the following conditions:- A) The Applicant shall attend the concerned police station and report to the Investigation Officer on every Saturday between 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m., till the charge-sheet is filed.

B) The Applicant shall not enter the jurisdiction of Faujdar Chavadi police station, except for attending the dates as aforesaid, till the filing of charge-sheet.

C) The Applicant shall not pressurize the prosecution witnesses and shall not tamper with the prosecution evidence, in any manner. D) The Applicant shall submit her Aadhar and PAN cards copy to the Investigating Officer and detailed addresses and phone numbers of himself and two of the near relatives.

E) A single violation of the conditions would entitle the prosecution to seek cancellation of the bail of the Applicant. II) The application is allowed in the above terms and stands disposed of. [MEHROZ K. PATHAN, J.]