IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY BENCH AT AURANGABAD ANTICIPATORY BAIL APPLICATION NO. 1731 OF 2026 Sangita Sandip Pawara VERSUS The State Of Maharashtra And Another Mr. A. S. Savale, Advocate for applicant Mr. S. B. Narwade, APP for respondent-State Mr. J. S. Jain, Advocate for respondent No. 2 CORAM : R. M. JOSHI, J. DATE : 15th SEPTEMBER, 2026 PER COURT :- 1. Applicant apprehends arrest in connection with Crime No. 237 of 2022 registered with Dhadgaon Police Station, Dist. Nandurbar for the offences punishable under Sections 376(2)(N), 366(A), 372, 373, 506, 34 of the Indian Penal Code and under Section 5(L), 6 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act and under Sections 3(1) (w)(i), 3(2)(va) of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes Act. 2. First Informant is the father of the victim girl. According to him, present applicant and her husband went to their home and asked the victim to accompany them. There is allegation that they took victim to the place at the distance of 500 KMs where forcibly her marriage was performed to co-accused Govind. There is allegation that husband of the 22-ABA-1731-2026.odt 1 of 3 2026:BHC-AUG:42305 present applicant has received a sum of Rs. 3,60,000/- for arranging said marriage of victim i.e., said to be minor girl and was subjected to sexual relations with co-accused Govind. 3. Learned Counsel for the applicant submits that though there is allegation against the applicant about along with her husband taking away the girl, who is minor, there is evidence collected during the course of investigation indicating that the victim could be major at the relevant time. In this regard he drew attention of the Court to the Adhar Card collected by the Investigating Officer during the investigation. It is his further submission that though there is allegation with regard to receiving money for forcing the victim to marry, there is no evidence to indicate so. He, therefore, seeks liberty of the applicant to be protected. 4. Learned APP and learned Counsel for informant opposed grant of any protection to the applicant by referring to the allegations against her in the First Information Report. 5. Prima facie perusal of the record indicates that there are allegations against the applicant of she being involved in the crime by compelling minor girl to marry co-accused on receipt of Rs. 3,60,000/-. Prima facie there is no evidence collected during the course of investigation to substantiate the said fact. Statement of victim per say 22-ABA-1731-2026.odt 2 of 3 would not be enough to support the said allegation. Applicant is lady whose liberty was protected by an order dated 24.07.2026. Hence, application stands allowed in terms of interim relief. 6. Fees of appointed counsel is quantified at Rs. 10,000/-. (R. M. JOSHI, J.) B. S. Joshi 22-ABA-1731-2026.odt 3 of 3