31 - ABA - 2400 - 2023.docx IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY CIRCUIT BENCH AT KOLHAPUR CRIMINAL APPELLATE JURISDICTION CRIMINAL ANTICIPATORY BAIL APPLICATION NO. 2400 OF 2023 Sharad Anil Bansode … Applicant V/s. The State of Maharashtra & Anr. … Respondents Mr. Dhavalsinh Patil i/by Mr. Prashant Hagare for the Applicant. Ms. Mahalaxmi Ganapathy, APP for the State. Mr. Ranjeet Patil for the Victim. CORAM : ASHWIN D. BHOBE, J. DATED : SEPTEMBER 22, 2026 P.C.: 1. Heard Mr. Dhavalsinh Patil, learned Advocate for the Applicant, Mr. Ranjeet Patil, learned Advocate for the Victim, and Ms. Mahalaxmi Ganapathy, learned APP for the State. 2. Reference to the order dated 31st August 2023 passed in this Application would be relevant: “1) Heard the learned Counsel for the parties. 2) The Court is informed that the statement of the victim came to be recorded on 27th August 2023 and the victim has stated that she had left the home on her own and after attaining the age of majority she has solemnized the marriage with the applicant on 23rd May, 2023. 3) The first informant appears to be the father of the victim. The first informant has been impleaded as a party respondent to this application. 4) Issue notice to the respondent No. 2, returnable on 5th October, 2023. VRJ 1 VAIBHAV RAMESH JADHAV Digitally signed by VAIBHAV RAMESH JADHAV Date: 2026.09.22 20:06:07 +0530 31 - ABA - 2400 - 2023.docx 5) The Investigating Officer shall serve the respondent No. 2 and file a report. 6) In the meanwhile, in view of the developments, adverted to above, the applicant shall not be arrested in CR.No. 352 of 2021.” 3. Mr. Dhavalsinh Patil, learned Advocate for the Applicant, states that the Applicant has performed marriage with the Victim upon her attaining the age of majority. 4. Mr. Ranjeet Patil, learned Advocate for the Victim, confirms the said statement and submits that the Victim is major, she is married to the Applicant and is happily residing with the Applicant. 5. Ms. Mahalaxmi Ganapathy, learned APP for the State, on instructions from the Investigating Officer, states that the statement of the Respondent-Victim has been recorded in Crime No. 352 of 2021 and the Respondent-Victim has confirmed the statements made by the learned Advocate for the Applicant and the learned Advocate for the Victim. To clarify, she submits that the Respondent-Victim, upon attaining majority, has married the Applicant and they are staying together. 6. In view of the above, Ms. Mahalaxmi Ganapathy, on instructions from the Investigating Officer, states that the custodial interrogation of the Applicant is not required. 7. Based on the statement made by Ms. Mahalaxmi Ganapathy, VRJ 2 31 - ABA - 2400 - 2023.docx learned APP for the State, this Application is allowed by confirming the order dated 31st August 2023. 8. Anticipatory Bail Application No.2400 of 2023 is allowed and disposed of. (ASHWIN D. BHOBE, J.) VRJ 3