12.appa.543.26 1/3 IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY NAGPUR BENCH, NAGPUR Criminal Application [APPA] No.543 of 2026 in Criminal Appeal St.No.7480 of 2026 Suchit Kalidas Meshram vs. The State of Maharashtra, Through P.S. Ram Nagar, Chandrapur =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Office notes, Office Memoranda of Coram, appearances, Court's orders Court’s or Judge’s Orders or directions and Registrar’s orders. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Mr. P.K. Dahat, Advocate (Appointed) for the Applicant/Appellant. Mr. G.S. Umale, A.P.P. for the Non-Applicant/Respondent No.1.. CORAM : Y.G. KHOBRAGADE, J. DATE : 19 th AUGUST, 2 026. Heard the learned Counsel appearing for the appellant as well as the learned A.P.P. for the State. 02. By the present application, the applicant-victim is seeking condonation of delay of 132 days caused while lodging the appeal against the judgment and order dated 07/01/2026 passed in Special (POCSO) Case No.151/2020 by the learned Special Judge, Chandrapur. 03. The learned Counsel appearing for the appellant submits that the appellant-accused was arrested on 05/05/2019 in connection with Crime No.583/2019 registered with Police Station Ramnagar, Chandrapur, for the offences punishable under Sections 376, 376A, 376B, 376(2)(j) and 450 of the Indian Penal Code and under Section 6 of the POCSO Act. However, after the impugned order was passed, he was taken into custody and, due to financial crisis and lack of proper legal advice, he could not file the appeal within the stipulated period. Hence, the delay of 132 days caused while lodging the appeal. 04. The learned A.P.P. strongly opposed the application on the ground that financial difficulties and lack of legal advice cannot constitute 2026:BHC-NAG:10822 12.appa.543.26 2/3 substantial and bona fide grounds for condonation of delay. Hence, he prayed for rejection of the application. 05. Needless to say, on 07/01/2026, the learned Special Judge passed the impugned order and sentenced him to undergo rigorous imprisonment for a maximum period of 20 years for the offence punishable under Section 376AB of the Indian Penal Code. Therefore, considering the grounds set out in the application, the delay of 132 days caused in lodging the appeal is hereby condoned. 06. Office to register the appeal. The application is allowed and disposed of accordingly. Criminal Appeal Stamp No.7480/2026: By the present appeal filed under Section 374(2) of the Code of Criminal Procedure, the appellant is challenging the order of conviction dated 07/01/2026 passed in Special (POCSO) Case No.151/2020 by the learned Special Judge, Chandrapur. 02. Admit. 03. Call for the record and proceedings. Criminal Application [APPA] Stamp No.7482/2026: The applicant is permitted to implead the victim as party-non- applicant No.2 without disclosing the identity of the victim. 02. Necessary amendment be carried out forthwith. 03. After the amendment is carried out, issue notice to the non- applicants, returnable on 3rd September, 2026. 04. The learned A.P.P. waives service of notice for non-applicant No.1. 12.appa.543.26 3/3 05. Mrs. Versha Warade, learned Counsel, is hereby appointed to defend the cause on behalf of non-applicant No.2. 06. The learned Counsel for the applicant is hereby directed to supply a copy of the memo of appeal along with all documents/ annexures, if any, during the course of the day to the learned Counsel appointed for non-applicant No.2. 07. Stand over to 3rd September, 2026. JUDGE *sandesh Signed by: Mr. Sandesh Waghmare Designation: PS To Honourable Judge Date: 20/08/2026 18:03:42