30-ABA-2306-2026.DOC IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY CRIMINAL APPELLATE JURISDICTION ANTICIPATORY BAIL APPLICATION NO.2306 OF 2026 Viraj Ramdas Kolte …Applicant Versus The State of Maharashtra …Respondent Ms. Pratiksha A. Thube a/w Hariyash Kamthe i/b Shreekrishna More, for the Applicant. Ms. M. R. Tidke, APP, for the Respondent-State. CORAM: MADHAV J. JAMDAR, J. DATED: 24 AUGUST 2026 PC:- 1. Heard Ms. Thube, learned Counsel appearing for the Applicant and Ms. Tidke, learned APP, for the Respondent-State of Maharashtra. 2. By this Anticipatory Bail Application filed under Section 482 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, the Applicant is seeking pre-arrest bail in connection with CR No.254 of 2026 registered with the Chandannagar Police Station, Pune City, for the offences punishable under Sections 64, 64(2)(m), 115(2), 352, 351 and 351(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023. Page 1 Arjun ARJUN VITTHAL KUDHEKAR Digitally signed by ARJUN VITTHAL KUDHEKAR Date: 2026.08.27 15:17:44 +0530 30-ABA-2306-2026.DOC 3. The prosecution case is set out in Paragraph Nos.2 and 3 of the Order dated 21st July 2026 passed by the learned Special Judge (under POCSO Act), Pune in Criminal Bail Application No.3444 of 2026, which reads as under: “2] In short prosecution case is that accused and informant known to each other. They became friends and thereafter, they felt into love with each other. They have started talking to each other. Thereafter, when she was residing at hostel, accused started restrictions on her and used to beat her. In the year 2024, when she was serving in one medical shop, accused used to call her and suspecting on her character. He used to call her by video call and asked her to remove the clothes. He asked her to send nude photographs of her. They were in love therefore, she has send her nude photographs to him. Thereafter, he has started blackmailing by that photographs. She went to Gujarat for the service. Accused went there. They resided together. He has committed sexual intercourse with her by threatening to viral her nude photographs. In the year 2026, she came to Pune. At that time also he has committed sexual intercourse with her against her will. On 04/05/2026, he called her on the lodge at Pune, demanded physical relations. She denied for that but he has committed sexual intercourse against her will. He has assaulted her on her face. Therefore, she sustained injury on her face. Therefore, she has lodged report against the accused. 3] Offence is registered at Chandannagar Police station in connection with Crime No.254/2026 against the accused for the offences punishable under 64, 64(2)(m), 115(2), 351, 351(2) and 352 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023.” Page 2 Arjun 30-ABA-2306-2026.DOC 4. It is the submission of Ms. Thube, learned Counsel for the Applicant, that the Applicant is a student. She submits that as the Applicant and the First Informant were taking education together, there was a love affair between them. She submits that the First Informant is employed in the IT industry. She submits that the Applicant is not involved in the crime. She submits that there are no other criminal antecedents against the Applicant and, therefore, the Anticipatory Bail Application be granted. 5. Ms. Thube, learned Counsel states that the Applicant will surrender his cell phone and laptop. 6. On the other hand, Ms. Tidke, learned APP, strongly opposes the Anticipatory Bail Application. 7. Perusal of the material on record shows that the Applicant and the First Informant were in consensual relationship. The Applicant is a student. Page 3 Arjun 30-ABA-2306-2026.DOC 8. Thus, in the facts and circumstances, case is made out for grant of anticipatory bail by imposing conditions. In view thereof, the following Order is passed: O R D E R (a) In the event of arrest of the Applicant - Viraj Ramdas Kolte in connection with CR No.254 of 2026 registered with the Chandannagar Police Station, Pune City, the Applicant is directed to be released on bail on his furnishing PR Bond in the sum of Rs.30,000/- with one or two solvent sureties in the like amount. (b) The Applicant shall attend the concerned Police Station on 1st September 2026 and 2nd September 2026 between 11:00 am and 02:00 pm and, thereafter, once in a week i.e. on every Monday between 11:00 am and 02:00 pm, till filing of the Charge-sheet. (c) The Applicant shall furnish his cell phone number and residential address to the Investigating Officer and shall keep the same updated, in case of any change thereto. Page 4 Arjun 30-ABA-2306-2026.DOC (d) The Applicant shall not directly or indirectly make any inducement, threat, or promise to any person acquainted with the facts of the case so as to dissuade such a person from disclosing the facts to the Court or to any Police personnel. (e) The Applicant shall not tamper with the prosecution evidence and shall not contact or influence the Complainant or any witness in any manner. 9. The Anticipatory Bail Application is disposed of accordingly. [MADHAV J. JAMDAR, J.] Page 5 Arjun