23aba1835-26.doc vai IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY CRIMINAL APPELLATE JURISDICTION ANTICIPATORY BAIL APPLICATION NO.1835 OF 2026 Vidulata Sriniwas Pujari @ Paro ...Applicant V/s. The State of Maharashtra ..Respondent Mr.Tanmay Tendulkar i/b Mr.Prabhanjay R. Dave and Mr.Shankar Ambhore for the Applicant. Mr.Prasanna P. Malshe, APP for Respondent – State. Mr.Sharad Dhole, IO/PSI, Pairavi Officer, D.B. Marg Police Station is present in Court. CORAM : PRAFULLA S. KHUBALKAR , J. DATE : 28TH SEPTEMBER , 2026. P.C. :- 1. Heard learned counsel for applicant as well as learned APP for respondent. 2. The applicant has filed instant application under Section 482 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 seeking pre- arrest bail in Crime No. 789 of 2026 dated 20.05.2026, registered with D. B. Marg Police Station, Brihanmumbai, for the offence punishable under Sections 3, 4, 5 and 7(1(b) of the Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act, 1956. 1/4 VASANT ANANDRAO IDHOL Digitally signed by VASANT ANANDRAO IDHOL Date: 2026.09.28 19:48:18 +0530 23aba1835-26.doc 3. The offence is registered on the basis of the report lodged by the police official after the raid was conducted in the concerned premises and the offence is registered against two accused persons, including this applicant, who is arraigned as accused no.2. The offence is registered mainly on the allegation that this applicant was in control of the brothel on the said premises. 4. Learned counsel for applicant submits that there is nothing to indicate that the victim girls were forcefully made to indulge into the business of prostitution. He states that there is nothing to show any direct evidence against this applicant attracting the alleged offences. 5. Learned counsel for applicant also submits that the alleged offences are punishable up to seven years and the applicant is ready to join the investigation and extend cooperation. He submits that in accordance with the interim protection order dated 15th July, 2026, this applicant has joined the investigation and attended the Police Station and is ready to continue co-operation to the Investigating Agency. 6. Learned APP has opposed the application and submitted that the offence is registered in view of the raid conducted on the premises which is under the control of this applicant. He submits 2/4 23aba1835-26.doc that the applicant has although attended the Police Station on the dates as directed by this Court but has not extended co-operation since she has not revealed the details of the owner and has simply stated that the owner has died. He therefore, submits that further investigation in this regard needs to be conducted. 7. Perused the FIR and the documents placed on record. It has to be noted that the applicant is arraigned as accused no.2 in view of the allegations that she was in control of the said brothel. It has to be noted that there is nothing to indicate that any women was forced to work as prostitute. Further, considering the nature of offence, the further investigation can be carried out by directing the applicant to extend her co-operation during the investigation. 8. Although the offence is registered against above mentioned sections, it appears that the applicant’s involvement is on the basis of allegation that she is in control of a brothel. At this stage, when the investigation is in progress, the applicant needs to be directed to join the investigation and extend cooperation by attending police station whenever called upon by the Investigating Officer. 9. Considering the fact that the applicant has already joined the investigation and has attended the Police Station, the custodial 3/4 23aba1835-26.doc interrogation of this applicant need not be insisted. Accordingly, interim protection granted by this Court needs to be confirmed subject to certain conditions. Hence I pass the following order :- O R D E R : a). The anticipatory bail application is allowed. b). In the event of arrest of the applicant in Crime No.789 dated 20.05.2026, registered with D. B. Marg Police Station, Brihanmumbai, for the offence punishable under Sections 3, 4, 5 and 7(1(b) of the Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act, 1956. she be released on bail on furnishing P. R. Bond of Rs.25,000/- with one solvent surety in the like amount. c). The applicant shall attend the Police Station as and when called upon by the Investigating Agency. d). The applicant shall not indulge in similar offences in future. e). The applicant shall not pressurize any of the prosecution witnesses and shall extend co-operation during the investigation and trial. 9. The anticipatory bail application is allowed and disposed of. (PRAFULLA S. KHUBALKAR, J.) 4/4