1 33-ABA-475-2026 (CR).DOC IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY CIRCUIT BENCH AT KOLHAPUR CRIMINAL APPELLATE JURISDICTION CR. ANTICIPATORY BAIL APPLN. NO. 475 OF 2026 Shalan Arun Devkar …...Applicant VERSUS. The State Of Maharashtra And Anr. …...Respondents ----- Mr. Rishikesh A. Mohite, for the Applicant. Ms. Shubhangi N. Deshmukh, APP, for Respondent Nos.1 and 2 - State. Officer : Police Constable, S. S. Takbhate, Karmala Police Station, present. ------- CORAM : ASHWIN D. BHOBE, J. DATE : 24th AUGUST, 2026. P.C. 1. Heard Mr. Rishikesh A. Mohite, learned Advocate for the Applicant, and Ms. Shubhangi N. Deshmukh, learned APP, for Respondent Nos.1 and 2 - State. 2. By this application under Section 482 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (for short, “BNSS”), the Applicant seeks pre-arrest bail, apprehending arrest in connection with Crime No. 621 of 2026 registered at Karmala Police Station, Solapur Rural, for the offence punishable under Section 108, 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 (for short, “BNS”). Shantanu S. Dhudum SHANTANU SHANKARSA DHUDUM Digitally signed by SHANTANU SHANKARSA DHUDUM Date: 2026.08.25 15:43:05 +0530 2 33-ABA-475-2026 (CR).DOC 3. Mr. Rishikesh A. Mohite, learned Advocate for the Applicant, submits that there are two (2) accused in Crime No.621 of 2026. The Applicant is arraigned as Accused No.2, whereas Ganesh A. Devkar, the son of the Applicant, is arraigned as Accused No.1. 4. The case of the prosecution is that Ganesh A. Devkar (Accused No. 1) was married to Jyoti G. Devkar (“deceased”). The Informant (mother of the deceased) lodged a complaint stating that on 6th July, 2026, she was informed that her deceased daughter had committed suicide by hanging. 5. Mr Rishikesh A. Mohite, learned Advocate for the Applicant, submits that there are no allegations against the Applicant in respect of the incident dated 2nd July, 2026. He submits that the Applicant resides at Kem, Taluka Karmala, District Solapur, whereas the deceased and Accused No.1 were residing at Baramati, where the incident of hanging took place. He further submits that the allegations of cruelty, if any, would relate to Accused No.1. 6. Mr. Rishikesh A. Mohite, learned Advocate for the Applicant, states that the Applicant shall co-operate with the investigation in Crime No. 621 of 2026 and shall appear before the Investigating Officer as and when required. Shantanu S. Dhudum 3 33-ABA-475-2026 (CR).DOC 7. Ms. Shubhangi N. Deshmukh, learned APP for Respondent Nos. 1 and 2 – State, submits that the F.I.R. contains allegations against the Applicant as well as Accused No. 1. However, on instructions from the Investigating Officer, she submits that on the date of the incident, i.e. 2nd July, 2026, the Applicant was not residing with the deceased and was residing at her own place at Kem, Taluka Karmala, District Solapur. 8. Perused the record. 9. Perusal of the F.I.R. indicates that the deceased was married to Accused No.1 in 2013. The allegations of harassment pertain to 2014. The incident which is the subject matter of Crime No.621 of 2026 took place on 2nd July, 2026. The fact that the Applicant was not residing with the deceased on the date of the incident is undisputed. 10. Prima facie, there are no allegations showing that the Applicant has any nexus with the incident dated 2nd July, 2026. The Applicant is a woman. In the facts and circumstances of the case, her custodial interrogation is not required. 11. In view of the above, the Application is allowed on the following conditions: Shantanu S. Dhudum 4 33-ABA-475-2026 (CR).DOC ORDER i. In the event of the arrest of the Applicant - Shalan Arun Devkar, in the Crime No.621 of 2026 registered with Karmala Police Station, Solpaur Rural, the Applicant shall be released on bail on furnishing P.R. Bond in the sum of Rs.50,000/- (Rupees Fifty Thousand Only) with two sureties in the like amount to the satisfaction of the Investigating Officer, Karmala Police Station, Solapur Rural. ii. The Applicant shall appear and report to the Investigating Officer at Karmala Police Station, Solapur Rural, on 27th and 28th August, 2026, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon and thereafter as and when required by the Investigating Officer in connection with the investigation of Crime No.621 of 2026. iii. The Applicant shall not, directly or indirectly, make any inducement, threat, or promise to any person acquainted with the facts of the case to dissuade such person from disclosing the facts to the Court or any police officer. iv. The Applicant shall not tamper with the evidence, in any manner. v. The Applicant shall provide the Investigating Officer with her residential address along with proof, her contact number, email and must inform the Investigating Officer of any changes to this information from time to time. 12. Anticipatory Bail Application No.475 of 2026 is disposed. ( ASHWIN D. BHOBE, J.) Shantanu S. Dhudum