Akshay Dilip Shedge v. The State Of Maharashtra

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY

CRIMINAL APPELLATE JURISDICTION ANTICIPATORY BAIL APPLICATION NO. 1091 OF 2026 Akshay Dilip Shedge ... Applicant V/S.

The State Of Maharashtra ... Respondent __________________________________________________________ Mr. Siddharth Jagushte, for the Applicant.

Mr. Ameet Palkar, APP for the Respondent - State. PI Mahendra Waghmare and PSI Ashwini More, BKC Police Station, is present.

__________________________________________________________ CORAM : ASHWIN D. BHOBE, J.

DATE : 28th April, 2026.

P.C. :

1.

By the present Application, the Applicant seeks pre-arrest bail in connection with the FIR bearing No. 171 of 2026 registered with the Sahar Police Station, (hereafter "impugned FIR") for the offences under Sections 143, 127(2), 61(2), r/w 3(5) of Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 and Section 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 9 of the Immoral Traffic of Women and Girls (Prohibition) Act, 1956 (Reconstructed CIT Act) read with Section 8 and 23 of the Immigration and Foreigners Act, 2025.

2.

Mr. Siddharth Jagushte, learned Advocate for the Applicant

submits that the Applicant is the owner of "Villa Palace Hotel" (hereafter "said premises") wherein the raid was conducted by the Respondent No. 1 on 25.02.2026. He submits that by an Agreement of Memorandum of Understanding (hereafter "MOU") dated 25.08.2025, the Applicant had given the management and day to day affairs of the said premises to Vivek Kumar Baidhyanath Yadav (i.e. Accused No. 4) in the present crime. He submits that the Applicant was neither present at the said premises on the date of the raid nor did the Applicant have any knowledge of the activities that were being carried out in the said premises by the Accused.

3.

Mr. Ameet Palkar, learned APP for the Respondent - State, though disputes the authenticity of the MOU, he does not dispute the fact that the Applicant is the owner of the said premises and he was not present at the said premises at the time of offence. He further on instructions submits that there is no material on record to indicate that the Applicant had knowledge of the illegal activities being carried out on the premises. 4.

Considering the aforesaid facts and submissions by learned

Advocates for the parties, the fact that the Applicant is the owner of the said premises and there being no material on record to even prima facie indicate that the Applicant had knowledge of illegal activities being carried out in the said premises, the Applicant has made out a case for grant of pre-arrest Bail. 5.

In view of the above, this is a fit case for allowing the present Application.

6.

Anticipatory Bail Application No. 1091 of 2026 is allowed on the following terms :- (a) In the event of arrest of the Applicant in FIR No. 171 of 2026 (impugned FIR) dated 26.02.2026 registered at Sahar Police Station, the Applicant shall be released on bail on furnishing a PR bond in the sum of Rs. 25,000/- (Rupees Twenty Five Thousand only) with one or two local sureties in the like amount.

(b) Applicant shall appear before the Sahar Police Station, Mumbai and report to the Investigation Officer, at Sahar Police

Station, Mumbai on 4th , 6th and 8th May, 2026, between 11.00 am to 12.00 pm. In the event the Applicant is required on any other day, by the Investigating Officer, Sahar Police Station, Mumbai the Applicant shall ensure his presence before the Investigating Officer.

(c) Applicant shall not directly or indirectly make any inducement, threat or promise to any person/s acquainted with the facts of the case to dissuade such person/s from disclosing the facts to the Court or any police officer. (d) Applicant shall not tamper with evidence in any manner.

(e) Applicant shall provide the Investigation Officer, Sahar Police Station, Mumbai with his residential address along with proof, his contact number, email and must inform the Investigating Officer of any changes to this information from time to time. (f) Applicant shall cooperate with the Investigating Officer in the process of investigation of the present Crime.

7.

Anticipatory Bail Application No. 1091 of 2026 is disposed of.

8.

It is made clear that the observation made herein are prima facie, for the purpose of deciding this Application. (ASHWIN D. BHOBE, J.) Digitally signed by ARJUN KRISHNA RODGE Date:

2026.04.28 21:51:51 +0530 ARJUN KRISHNA RODGE