1 16 ABA 703.26 IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY NAGPUR BENCH : NAGPUR CRIMINAL APPLICATION (ABA) NO. 703/2026 (Vinod S/o Suryabhan Palaspagar Vs. The State of Maharashtra & anr.) - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Office Notes, Office Memoranda of Coram, Court's or Judge's orders appearances, Court's orders of directions and Registrar's orders - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Mr. P.M. Khan, Advocate applicant. Ms. S. S. Dhote, APP for non-applicant/State. CORAM: M. M. NERLIKAR, J . DATED : 18/08/2026. Heard. 2. On oral request, the learned counsel for the applicant seeks permission to delete the name of non- applicant No.2. 3. Permission granted. 4. Amendment be carried out forthwith. 5. By this application, the applicant is seeking anticipatory bail in connection with Crime No. 564/2026 registered with Police Station Rajapeth, Dist. Amravati for the offences punishable under Sections 3, 4, 5 of the Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act. 6. It is alleged in the first information report that pursuant to secret information a raid was organized and a 2 16 ABA 703.26 dummy customer was sent to the concerned premises where business of prostitution was being run on 08/07/2026. The dummy customer was found with a girl in a flat who stated that, she hails from Chhindwada, Madhya Pradesh and was working from last 2 months with the applicant’s wife and nephew named Shushant. Another Flat was also searched where 2 other girls were found who hailed from West Bengal. All the 3 girls stated that, they are kept for the business of prostitution by Mangala Vinod Palaspagar and Shushant Arvind Palaspagar, who are also arrayed as accused in the said First Information Report. Based on this information, the first information report was registered. 7. The learned counsel for the applicant submits that on the basis of the statement of the co-accused, the applicant has been made an accused in the present crime. There is no other incriminating material to connect the applicant with the alleged crime. He submits that as raid was conducted at the premises, 3 adult females were found along with the dummy customer. In the FIR, the name of the applicant does not appear, however, his name was disclosed by his wife who has been found on the spot itself. 3 16 ABA 703.26 Therefore, he submits that considering the nature of allegations, the applicant be released on anticipatory bail. 8. On the other hand, the learned APP vehemently opposes the application and submits that the wife of the applicant who was running the prostitution business was caught red handed at the spot itself where the business of prostitution was going on. She has disclosed in her statement that even the applicant is aiding her in doing the business of prostitution. Under such circumstances, she submits that the custodial interrogation would be necessary considering the seriousness of the allegations and therefore she prayed to reject the application. 9. I have considered the rival submission. It is not in dispute that a decoy customer was sent to the premises and accordingly raid was conducted wherein three adult females, were found doing the business of the prostitution at the behest of the wife and nephew of the present applicant. The name of the applicant does not appear in the first information report even the three victims have not named the present applicant. Considering the nature of allegations that merely on the basis of the statement of co- 4 16 ABA 703.26 accused i.e. wife he has been arrayed as an accused cannot sustain and under such circumstances, the applicant has made out a prima facie case to grant anticipatory bail hence the following order. ORDER (I) The application is allowed and disposed of. (II) In the event of arrest, the applicant Vinod S/o Suryabhan Palaspagar be released on anticipatory bail in connection with Crime No. 564/2026 registered with Police Station Rajapeth, Dist. Amravati for the offences punishable under Sections 3, 4, 5 of the Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act on furnishing PR bond of Rs. 25,000/- with one solvent surety in the like amount. (III) The applicant shall attend the concerned Police Station on every Sunday between 11.00 a.m. to 02.00 p.m. or as and when called by the Investigating Officer. (IV) The applicant shall not tamper with the prosecution evidence in any manner. (V). The applicant shall co-operate with the Investigating Agency. 10. Pending application, if any, stands disposed of accordingly. 5 16 ABA 703.26 11. The observations of this Court are prima facie in nature and are only limited to this application. The Trial Court shall not be influenced by the aforesaid observations. ( M. M. NERLIKAR , J.) Gohane Signed by: Mr. J. B. Gohane Designation: PS To Honourable Judge Date: 18/08/2026 18:48:57