1 55-Cr.BA-1072-2026 IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY NAGPUR BENCH, NAGPUR. CRIMINAL APPLICATION [B.A.] NO. 1072 OF 2026 Devansh Sanjay Dorlikar -- VERSUS -- The State of Maharashtra and Another __________________________________________________________________________ Office Notes, Office Memoranda of Coram, appearances, Court's orders of directions Court's or Judge's orders. and Registrar's Orders. Mr. Utkarsh M. Shende, Advocate for the Applicant. Mr. S.N. Thakur, A.P.P. for the Non-applicant No.1/State. Mr. Aashish Shende, Advocate for the Non-applicant No.2. CORAM : M.M. NERLIKAR, J. DATE : AUGUST 27, 2026. Heard. 2. The present application is filed seeking regular bail in Crime No.430/2026 for the offences punishable under Sections 74, 78(2), 296, 115(2), 351(2) and 352 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 1860, read with Sections 8 and 12 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012, registered with Police Station Lakadganj, District Nagpur. 3. As per the First Information Report, the informant stated that his minor daughter was allegedly harassed by the accused, Devansh Sanjay Dorlikar, aged 19 years. On 10/07/2026, at about Piyush Mahajan 2026:BHC-NAG:11157 2 55-Cr.BA-1072-2026 8:00 p.m., when the victim was proceeding to the gym, the accused approached her, insisted that she talk to him, and allegedly assaulted her by holding her hand and slapping her on the cheek. It was further alleged that the accused pulled her hair, abused her in filthy language, threatened her and dragged her by holding her waist, whereupon she managed to escape and returned home. The informant further stated that the accused had been calling and messaging the victim from different numbers and harassing her by using abusive language and issuing threats. Accordingly, the informant approached the police station and lodged the report against the accused. 4. The learned counsel for the applicant submits that the applicant is just 19 years of age. He was having a love affair with the victim. The F.I.R. was registered by the father of the victim, wherein allegations are made that the applicant went to the house of the victim and outraged her modesty. Since the relationship between the victim and the applicant was not liked by the parents, they have registered the F.I.R. and made wild allegations against the applicant, which are false. He further invites my attention to the chats between the victim and the applicant and also invites my attention to the love Piyush Mahajan 3 55-Cr.BA-1072-2026 letter written by the victim to the applicant. Therefore, he submits that, since the parents disliked the relationship between the applicant and the victim, they have lodged a false report. 5. On the other hand, the learned A.P.P. and the learned counsel appearing for the victim vehemently oppose the application and submit that the victim is a minor. The applicant came to the house of the victim and outraged her modesty and also threatened her with dire consequences. They further submit that the investigation is under progress. There is every likelihood that the applicant may commit the offence once again if he is released on bail, and therefore, they submit that the applicant be kept behind bars, considering his behaviour, and accordingly, they prayed to reject the application. 6. I have considered the rival submissions. It appears that the applicant is 19 years of age and is pursuing his studies. It further appears that the father of the victim has lodged the report. No doubt, so far as the age of the victim is concerned, she is 16 years and 10 months of age. After perusal of the chats between the victim and the applicant, prima facie, it appears that both are in love with each other. Under such circumstances, considering the nature of the allegations, I am of the considered opinion that the Piyush Mahajan 4 55-Cr.BA-1072-2026 applicant deserves to be granted bail by imposing stringent conditions. Hence, the following order: O R D E R (i) The Criminal Application is allowed; (ii) The applicant/accused (Devansh Sanjay Dorlikar) be released on regular bail in connection with Crime No.430/2026 for the offences punishable under Sections 74, 78(2), 296, 115(2), 351(2) and 352 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 1860, read with Sections 8 and 12 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012, registered with Police Station Lakadganj, District Nagpur, on his furnishing a P.R. bond of Rs.50,000/- (Rupees Fifty Thousand) with two solvent sureties in the like amount; (iii) The accused shall not directly or indirectly make any inducement, threat or promise to any person acquainted with the facts of the case, as also shall not tamper with the evidence; (iv) The applicant shall not contact the victim by any mode, either physically or through electronic mode; Piyush Mahajan 5 55-Cr.BA-1072-2026 (v) The applicant shall not enter the vicinity where the victim and her family resides; (vi) The accused shall provide his residential address and cell number to the Police Station concerned and shall not change his place of residence without prior intimation to the Investigating Agency; (vii) Once the trial commences, the accused shall attend each and every date of trial regularly. If he fails to attend the trial subject to genuine reason to the satisfaction of trial court, or fails to comply with the aforesaid conditions, his default would entail the State to ask for cancellation of bail; (viii) The observations of this Court are prima facie in nature. The Trial Court shall not be influenced by the same; (ix) Pending Misc. Application(s), if any, also stand disposed of. [ M.M. NERLIKAR, J ] Piyush Mahajan Signed by: Piyush Ramesh Mahajan Designation: PA To Honourable Judge Date: 27/08/2026 18:16:01