913-ABA-681-2024 (CR).docx IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY CIRCUIT BENCH AT KOLHAPUR CRIMINAL APPELLATE JURISDICTION CR. ANTICIPATORY BAIL APPLN. NO. 681 OF 2024 Akshay Ramchandra Saptale …........Applicant Versus. The State Of Maharashtra And Anr. ….......Respondents ----- Mr. Jolly Bhutelo a/w. Ms. Vrushali Ingle Patil for Applicant. Mr. S.H. Yadav, A.P.P. for the Respondent No.1-State. Ms. Tanaya Doke, Appointed Advocate for the Respondent No.2. (Appointed under Legal Aid vide order date 28/09/2026) . Officer : API K.D. Dhere, Mangalvedha Police Station, present. ------- Coram : ASHWIN D. BHOBE, J. Date : 30th September 2026. PER COURT : 1. Heard. Mr. Jolly Bhutelo, learned Advocate for the Applicant, Mr. Yadav, learned A.P.P. for the Respondent No.1-State and Ms. Tanaya Doke, learned Advocate for the Respondent No.2. 2. On 11th March 2024, the following order was passed : “ 1. Heard the learned Counsel for the applicant and the learned APP for the State. osk 1 of 4 913-ABA-681-2024 (CR).docx 2. This is an application for pre-arrest bail in connection with CR No.849 of 2023, registered with Mangalvedha Police Station, Solapur, for the offences punishable under Sections 354, 354A, 354D and 506 read with Section 34 of Indian Penal Code, 1860 ("the Penal Code") and Sections 8, 9 and 12 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012 ("the POCSO"). 3. By an order dated 21 December, 2023, this Court has granted protection to the co-accused. The learned Counsel for the applicant submits that the applicant is similarly circumstanced. 4. I have perused the allegations in the FIR. Prima facie. the applicant appears to be similarly circumstanced like Ajay Saptale, who has been granted interim bail. I am, therefore, inclined to protect the liberty of the applicant, and hear the application alongwith ABA/3601/2023. 5. Hence the following order: :ORDER: (i) Issue notice to the respondents, returnable on 16th April, 2024. (ii) The learned APP waives notice for respondent No.1/State. (iii) Investigating Officer shall serve respondent No.2 and file report of service. (iv) In the meanwhile, in the event of arrest of the applicant in CR No.849 of 2023, registered with Mangalvedha Police Station, Solapur, the applicant be released on bail on furnishing a PR Bond in the sum of Rs.30,000/- with one or two sureties in the like amount. (v) The applicant shall cooperate with the investigation and attend Mangalvedha Police Station on 18th, 19th and 20th March, 2024 in between 10.00 am. to 1.00 pm., and, thereafter, as and when directed by the Investigating Officer. (vi) The applicant shall not tamper with the prosecution evidence and/or give threat or inducement to the first informant or any of the persons acquainted with the facts of the case. osk 2 of 4 913-ABA-681-2024 (CR).docx (vii) Stand over to 16th April, 2024. To be listed alongwith ABA/3601/2023.” 3. Mr. Jolly Bhutelo, learned Advocate for the Applicant, states that there are three (3) accused in Crime No.849 of 2023 and that the Applicant is Accused No.2. He states that the Applicant has appeared before the Investigating Officer and has cooperated with the investigation in Crime No.849 of 2023. 4. Mr. S. H. Yadav, learned A.P.P. for Respondent No.1-State, on instructions from the Investigating Officer, submits that the Applicant has appeared before the Investigating Officer and has cooperated with the investigation in Crime No.849 of 2023. He further submits that upon completion of the investigation, the Investigating Officer has filed the charge- sheet in Crime No.849 of 2023 against the Applicant. On instructions, he submits that the custodial interrogation of the Applicant is not required in Crime No.849 of 2023. 5. Ms. Tanaya Doke, learned Advocate for Respondent No. 2, submits that the offence is serious in nature and therefore, custodial interrogation of the Applicant is required. 6. Considering the statements made by Mr. Jolly Bhutelo, learned Advocate for the Applicant and Mr. Yadav, learned A.P.P. for the Respondent osk 3 of 4 913-ABA-681-2024 (CR).docx No.1-State, bearing in mind that the Applicant has been protected by ad- interim bail since 11th March 2024 and that there is no allegation of any breach of the bail conditions, the order dated 11th March 2024 is confirmed and made absolute in terms of paragraphs 5(iv) and 5(vi) thereof. 7. Advocate Ms. Tanaya Doke, appointed under the Legal Aid Scheme, has appeared for Respondent No. 2. Accordingly, the Bombay High Court Legal Services Committee, Kolhapur Circuit Bench, shall quantify and pay the fees of Advocate Ms. Tanaya Doke as per the Legal Aid Scheme. 8. The Anticipatory Bail Application No.681 of 2024 is disposed. [ ASHWIN D. BHOBE, J. ] osk 4 of 4 OMKAR SHIVAHAR KUMBHAKARN Digitally signed by OMKAR SHIVAHAR KUMBHAKARN Date: 2026.10.01 10:46:30 +0530