Dinesh Prakash Mudiraj v. State Of Maharashtra

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY

CRIMINAL APPELLATE JURISDICTION ANTICIPATORY BAIL APPLICATION NO. 1230 OF 2026 Dinesh Prakash Mudiraj ... Applicant

Versus

The State Of Maharashtra

...Respondent

----- Mr. Abdul Shaikh, for the Applicant.

Mrs. Rajeshree Newton, APP for the Respondent - State. API S. M. Kadam, Kashimira Police Station, is present. ------- CORAM : ASHWIN D. BHOBE, J.

DATE : 6th May, 2026.

P.C. :

1.

By the present Application, the Applicant seeks pre-arrest bail, apprehending arrest in Crime No. I-140 of 2026 registered with Kashimira Police Station, Thane, for offences punishable under Sections 143(3) and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, read with Sections 3, 4 and 5 of the Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act, 1956.

2.

The case of the prosecution is that on 05.04.2026, the Senior Police Inspector of Kashimira Police Station received information that girls were being forced into the business of prostitution at Mira Spa Shalibhadra, Shop No. 3, Kashimira, Mira Road (E).

During the raid conducted by Kashimira Police Station at Mira Spa Shalibhadra, two girls were found available for massage and prostitution at the rate of Rs.7,500/- each. During the raid, the coaccused, along with two victim girls, were apprehended and the decoy money was seized.

3.

Mr. Abdul Shaikh, learned Advocate for the Applicant, submits that the Applicant is the owner of the Spa Centre. He submits that the business carried out at the said Spa Center is massage. He submits that he was unaware of the illegal activities being carried out at the said Spa Centre. He relies on the decision of Aakash Satish Mehta v. State of Maharashtra1 4.

Mrs. Rajeshree Newton, learned APP for the Respondent - State, submits that the Mira Spa Center owned by the Applicant has been ascertained. She, on instructions from the Investigation Officer present in Court, states that the Applicant is absconding. She submits that during the investigation, the statements of the victim girls have revealed that the Applicant is actively involved in the said business and that the girls are forced into the business of Anticipatory Bail Application No. 2841 of 2025, decided on 17.10.2025.

prostitution for payment in money. She submits that the CDR Reports of the mobile phones of the Applicant, the Co-accused and the victim girls have been collected, and a clear link to the Applicant's involvement in the said offence has been noted. She submits that, as per the investigation, the victims are paid Rs. 1,500/-, while the remaining amount is retained by the Applicant and other persons involved in the business. She submits that the Applicant is involved in a larger racket and that his custodial interrogation is required.

5.

The allegations pertain to organised immoral trafficking, involving the exploitation of vulnerable women for commercial gain. The Applicant is connected to the premises used for prostitution. Considering the nature and gravity of the offence and the fact that the victim girls were forced into the business of prostitution, a prima facie case is made out against the Applicant for custodial interrogation.

6.

In view of the above, Anticipatory Bail Application No. 1230 of 2026, is rejected.

(ASHWIN D. BHOBE, J.) Digitally signed by ARJUN KRISHNA RODGE Date:

2026.05.09 14:37:05 +0530 ARJUN KRISHNA RODGE