36-ABA-972-2024.doc IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY CIRCUIT BENCH AT KOLHAPUR CRIMINAL APPELLATE JURISDICTION ANTICIPATORY BAIL APPLICATION NO. 972 OF 2024 Rama @ Ramchandra Nagnath Saptale ...Applicant Versus. The State of Maharashtra ...Respondent ----- Mr. Jolly Bhutelo a/w Vrushali Ingle Patil, Advocate for the Applicant. Mr. S. H. Yadav, APP for the Respondent – State. Ms. Tanaya Doke, Advocate for the Respondent No. 2. (Appointed through Legal Aid). ------- CORAM : ASHWIN D. BHOBE, J. DATE : 5th October, 2026. P.C. : 1. Heard Mr. Jolly Bhutelo, learned Advocate for the Applicant, Mr. S. H. Yadav, learned APP for the Respondent – State and Ms. Tanaya Doke, learned Advocate for the Respondent No. 2. 2. By the present Application under Section 482 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, the Applicant seeks bail in Crime No. 849 of 2023, registered at Mangalwedha Police Station, for offences punishable under Sections 354, 354A, 354D, and 506 read with Section 34 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860, and under Sections 8, 9, and 12 of the Prevention of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012. Arjun 1 36-ABA-972-2024.doc 3. Mr. Jolly Bhutelo, learned Advocate for the Applicant, states that there are 3 Accused in the present crime. He submits that the Applicant is Accused No. 1. 4. Mr. Jolly Bhutelo, learned Advocate for the Applicant, submits that since the registration of Crime No. 849 of 2023, the Applicant has been available for investigation. He submits that the Applicant has cooperated with the investigation and shall continue to cooperate in the investigation of Crime No. 849 of 2023. He submits that on identical allegations, Ajay Ramchandra Saptale (Accused No. 3) and Akshay Ramchandra Saptale (Accused No. 2) in Crime No. 849 of 2023 have been released on Anticipatory Bail in Anticipatory Bail Application Nos. 3601 of 2023 and 681 of 2024, respectively. 5. Mr. S. H. Yadav, learned APP for the Respondent – State, on instructions from the Investigating Officer, Mangalwedha Police Station, states that the custodial interrogation of the Applicant in Crime No. 849 of 2023 is not required. However, he submits that the Applicant be directed to appear before the Investigating Officer, Mangalwedha Police Station, on 9th, 10th, 12th and 13th October 2026, from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m and thereafter, as and when required by the Investigating Officer, Mangalwedha Police Station in investigation of Crime No. 849 Arjun 2 36-ABA-972-2024.doc of 2023. 6. Mr. Jolly Bhutelo, learned Advocate for the Applicant, on instructions of the Applicant, states that the Applicant shall appear before the Investigating Officer on 9th, 10th, 12th and 13th October 2026, from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m and thereafter, as and when required by the Investigating Officer, Mangalwedha Police Station . He states that the Applicant shall co-operate with the investigation in Crime No. 849 of 2023. Statements accepted. 7. In view of the statements made by Mr. S. H. Yadav, learned APP for the Respondent – State and Mr. Jolly Bhutelo, learned Advocate for the Applicant, this Application is disposed of by directing the Applicant to appear and report to the Investigating Officer, Mangalwedha Police Station, on 9th, 10th, 12th and 13th October 2026, from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m and thereafter, as and when required by the Investigating Officer, Mangalwedha Police Station and to co-operate with the investigation in Crime No. 849 of 2023. 8. The High Court Legal Services Committee, Mumbai, Circuit Bench at Kolhapur, shall quantify and pay the legal fees payable under the Legal Aid Scheme to Advocate Ms. Tanaya Doke, who has appeared Arjun 3 36-ABA-972-2024.doc and represented the Respondent No. 2 in this Application. 9. Anticipatory Bail Application No. 972 of 2024 is disposed of. (ASHWIN D. BHOBE, J.) Arjun 4 ARJUN KRISHNA RODGE Digitally signed by ARJUN KRISHNA RODGE Date: 2026.10.06 10:30:32 +0530