Dilwale 1 924-BA-341-26.odt IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY BENCH AT AURANGABAD 924 BAIL APPLICATION NO. 341 OF 2026 Sanjay Shivaji Bansode VERSUS The State Of Maharashtra ... Advocate for Applicant : Mr. Gangakhedkar Shailendra S APP for Respondent-State: Mr. S. V. Hange ... CORAM : SIDDHESHWAR S. THOMBRE, J. DATE : 17.06.2026 PER COURT : 1. Heard the learned counsel for the applicant and the learned APP for the Respondent-State. 2. By this application, the applicant seeks his release on bail in connection with Crime No. 0317 of 2025 registered with Murum Police Station, Osmanabad, for the offences punishable under Sections 143, 144 and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 read with Sections 3, 4 and 5 of the Prevention of Immoral Traffic Act, 1956. 3. The brief facts of the prosecution case are that when Police Personnel conducted raid on Hotel Driver Dhaba, three victims girls were found in the hotel rooms who were residents of Bengal and Bangladesh. The manager of the Hotel/applicant was involved in immoral traffic for the purpose of prostitution and thereby present FIR came to be registered. Dilwale 2 924-BA-341-26.odt 4. Learned counsel for the applicant submits that the applicant was working as a Manager in the concerned lodge and was not involved in any illegal activities. It is further submitted that the owner of the said lodge, namely Laxman Birajdar, has already been released on bail by this Court. Learned counsel submits that the maximum punishment prescribed for the offences alleged against the applicant is up to three years. Therefore, no useful purpose would be served by keeping the applicant behind bars, particularly when the investigation is completed and the charge-sheet has been filed. 5. The learned APP strongly opposed the application. It is submitted that the applicant is involved in similar offences and that two other crimes of a similar nature have been registered against him. It is further submitted that if the applicant is released on bail, there is every possibility that he may not remain available for trial and may again indulge in similar activities. According to the prosecution, the applicant and the co-accused were involved in procuring girls, including those from Bengal and Bangladesh, for prostitution. The learned APP pointed out that statements of the victim girls recorded in the connected crimes indicate the involvement of the applicant. On these grounds, the application is opposed. 6. I have gone through the copy of the FIR and the documents annexed with the charge-sheet. The investigation is already completed and the charge-sheet has been filed. It appears that the applicant was Dilwale 3 924-BA-341-26.odt working as a Manager in the concerned establishment. It is also not disputed that the owner of the premises has already been released on bail by this Court. The allegations against him are primarily under the provisions of the Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act, 1956 and the maximum punishment prescribed for the said offences is up to three years. Considering the aforesaid circumstances, I am of the view that further detention of the applicant is not necessary. 7. Hence, the following order : ORDER (i) The application is allowed. (ii) The applicant - Sanjay Shivaji Bansode shall be released on bail in connection with Crime No. 0317 of 2025 registered with Murum Police Station, Osmanabad, on furnishing P.R. bond of Rs.15,000/- and a solvent surety in the like amount to the satisfaction of the Trial Court. (iii) The release of the applicant shall be subject to the following conditions :- A) The applicant shall attend each and every date before the Trial Court unless exempted by the Trial Court. B) The applicant shall not directly or indirectly make any inducement, threat or promise to any prosecution witness and shall not tamper with the prosecution evidence in any manner. C) The applicant shall attend the concerned police station as and when required by an Investigation Officer for further investigation, if any. Dilwale 4 924-BA-341-26.odt D) The applicant shall not in any manner whatsoever contact the victim girls till the culmination of the Trial. 8. Needless to state that breach of any of the above conditions shall entitle the prosecution to seek cancellation of bail. 9. The observations made herein are prima facie in nature and the learned Trial Court shall not be influenced by the same while deciding the case on its own merits. 10. The Bail Application stands disposed of accordingly. 11. Bail before the Trial Court. [ SIDDHESHWAR S. THOMBRE ] JUDGE