17 CRIR 42 2026 8th October, 2026 vinita IN THE HIGH COURT OF BOMBAY AT GOA CRIMINAL REVISION APPLICATION NO.42 OF 2026 CHRISTOPHER BEVAN, THR. POA PANKAJ SHARMA ... APPLICANT Versus STATE OF GOA, THR. PUBLIC PROSECUTOR ... RESPONDENT Mr Sahil Sardessai, Advocate for the Applicant. Mr. Somnath Karpe, Additional Public Prosecutor, along with Mr A. Shirodkar, Advocate for the Respondent. CORAM:- AMIT S. JAMSANDEKAR, J. DATED :-8th October, 2026 P.C. 1. By the present application, the Applicant has challenged the order passed by the learned Presiding Officer, Fast Track Special Court, Panaji, Goa, in Sessions Case (ORS) No. 59 of 2021, arising out of offences punishable under Sections 354-D and 376 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), whereby the learned Judge was pleased to frame charges against the Applicant. 2. It is submitted that the learned Judge ought not to have 2026:BHC-GOA:2048 17 CRIR 42 2026 8th October, 2026 framed charges in the matter, as the incident alleged by the victim is improbable. It is further submitted that the complaint was allegedly filed after a delay of two months. It is also contended that there is no allegation that the Applicant was involved in similar activities involving other women, nor is there any other complaint against the Applicant. 3. I have perused the record, the averments made in the application, the charge-sheet, the complaint lodged by the victim on 25.05.2021, and the material placed on record in respect of the offences punishable under Sections 354-D and 376 of the IPC. At the stage of framing of charge, the learned Judge applied the principles laid down by the Hon’ble Supreme Court in P. Vijayan v. State of Kerala and Another, (2010) 2 SCC 398 and Union of India v. Prafulla Kumar Samal and Another, (1979) 3 SCC 4. 4. I do not find any perversity or arbitrariness in the order passed by the learned Judge. The impugned order has been passed judicially and in accordance with the 17 CRIR 42 2026 8th October, 2026 provisions of the Code of Criminal Procedure. Therefore, I am not inclined to grant any relief to the Applicant. 5. Accordingly, the application stands disposed of. 6. This order will be digitally signed by the Private Secretary/Personal Assistant of this Court. All concerned will act on production by fax or email of a digitally signed copy of this order. AMIT S. JAMSANDEKAR, J. Signed by: VINITA VIKAS NAIK Designation: Private Secretary Date: 13/10/2026 11:50:23