P.H. JAYANI 921 BA2302.2026.DOC IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY CRIMINAL APPELLATE JURISDICTION BAIL APPLICATION NO. 2302 OF 2026 Gopichand Rangarao Kota @ Kota Gopi Chand s/o. Kota Rangarao …. Applicant V/s. The State of Maharashtra and anr. …Respondents Mr. P.R. Moses for the applicant. Mr. Vinod Chate, APP for the Respondent No.1 – State. Mr. Vincent D’Silva i/b. Hovold D’Silva for Respondent No.2. CORAM: SHYAM C. CHANDAK, J. DATED : 11th SEPTEMBER, 2026 P.C. :- 1. Heard learned Counsel for the parties. Perused the record. 2. The applicant seeks his release on bail in Cr.No.945/2025 registered with Kurar Village Police Station, Mumbai for the offence punishable under Sections 69, 316(2), 318(4), 3(5) of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (“BNS”), 2023 on the Report dated 06.12.2025 filed by Glory Perumalla. 3. The prosecution case is that, in the year 2022, the applicant came in contact with the informant (‘the victim’) through a community social platform as the informant was looking for a suitable partner for marriage. It was followed by meetings between the two, their families, fixing their marriage with each other and the engagement ceremony. It is alleged that, on the same day, the applicant established physical relationship with the victim on the promise that they would get married. Thereafter, repeatedly, money was demanded as dowry from the informant threatening P.H. JAYANI 921 BA2302.2026.DOC him to call off the engagement. Despite repeated requests by the informant, the applicant side kept evading to fix the wedding date. Meanwhile, money and gold ornaments totalling to Rs.26 Lakhs were given to the applicant’s side. However, he refused to marry. 4. After hearing the learned Advocates for the parties with the involvement of the father of the victim and, upon due deliberation, the learned Advocates for the parties made a joint statement that the applicant may be released on bail upon payment of Rs.10 Lakhs to the father of the victim in two instalment, i.e., Rs.5,00,000/- today, through banking transaction and Rs.5 Lakhs within seven days from the date of applicant’s release from jail. Said statement is accepted as an undertaking given to the Court. That apart, the physical relationship appears to be consensual in nature. Considering the facts of the case, it appears that, since the date of the marriage could not be fixed, therefore, a dispute arose between the parties. Meanwhile, money, gold and certain other valuable articles were exchanged as gift. Therefore, I am inclined to release the applicant from jail. Hence, Order :- (i) Applicant – Gopichand Rangarao Kota @ Kota Gopi Chand s/o. Kota Rangarao be released on bail in Cr.No.945/2025 registered with Kurar Village Police Station, Mumbai, on his executing a P.R. Bond in the sum of Rs.50,000/- with one or more sureties in the like amount. (ii) The applicant shall regularly attend the proceedings before the jurisdictional Court. (iii) The applicant shall not tamper with the prosecution evidence and shall not directly or indirectly influence upon P.H. JAYANI 921 BA2302.2026.DOC the prosecution witnesses to prevent them from deposing against him. (iv) On being released from jail, the applicant shall furnish his contact number and residential address to the Investigating Officer and shall keep him updated, in case there is any change. (v) Any observation made in the present Order are for the purpose of deciding the present Bail Application and should not influence the outcome of the trial and also not be taken as an expression of opinion on merits of the case. 5. At this stage, as requested by Mr. Moses, the applicant is granted two weeks time to furnish the surety. Till then, the applicant be released on bail on his executing a P.R. Bond in the sum of Rs.50,000/- and depositing a sum of Rs.50,000/- in lieu of furnishing the surety. On furnishing such surety/ies, the amount of Rs.50,000/- deposited by the applicant shall be returned. 6. It is made clear that the payment of the amount of Rs.10,00,000/- as aforesaid, is without prejudice to the rights, contentions and the defence to be raised by the parties in the case before the trial Court or any proceedings arising out of the said crime. Similarly, the said payment shall not be construed as an admission of guilt or otherwise by the accused persons. 7. Bail Application stands disposed of in above terms. (SHYAM C. CHANDAK, J.) PREETI HEERO JAYANI Digitally signed by PREETI HEERO JAYANI Date: 2026.09.16 17:04:04 +0530