Anuradha Alias Hirabai Arun Gondkar v. the State of Maharashtra and Another
Case brief
What is this about?
Bombay HC Aurangabad Bench; Criminal Appeal Nos. 829 & 830 of 2025; Nilesh Arun Gondkar & Anuradha alias Hirabai Arun Gondkar v. State of Maharashtra; order dated 06/11/2025 by Sushil M. Ghodeswar, J.; interim protection/release on arrest in Crime No. 351/2025 (Shirdi Police Station, registered 05/04/2025) under Ss. 351(2), 352, 3(5) Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita 2023 and Ss. 3(1)(r), 3(1)(s) SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act 1989; PR bond Rs.25,000 each with surety; reliance on Shajan Skariah v. State of Kerala, 2024 INSC 625 (scope of S.3(1)(r)/(s) insults tied to untouchability/caste hierarchy); conditions — attend police station when called by IO, no contact with witnesses/informant; returnable 27/11/2025; APP waiver for Respondent No.1, notice to Respondent No.2 via IO.
What did the court decide?
Interim protection (non-final order; appeals kept pending, returnable 27/11/2025): appellants in both appeals to be released in the event of arrest in Crime No. 351/2025 on furnishing PR bond of Rs.25,000/- each with one solvent surety/security in the like amount; subject to attending the police station as and when called by the Investigating Officer and not contacting/pressurizing witnesses or the informant; protection to continue till the adjourned date of hearing. Notices issued to Respondents; learned APPs waived service for Respondent No.1; notice to Respondent No.2 through the Investigating Officer.