Case brief
What is this about?
Regular bail REJECTED by Abhay S. Waghwase, J., Bombay HC Aurangabad Bench, BA 2201/2024 (pronounced 15-01-2025). Crime 0150/2024, Shanipeth PS Jalgaon (FIR 4-7-2024): Ss.377, 506, 500 IPC; Ss.4, 5(l), 6 POCSO Act; Ss.66(C), 67B IT Act. Male minor victim (stated 14), report by mother after 8-month delay; laced Laddu, nude photographs snapped and viral on Instagram, blackmail/threat calls (1012 calls from unknown numbers), alleged marriage/elope-to-West-Bengal plan. Arrest 30-08-2024; chargesheet filed; victim statements under Ss.161 & 164 CrPC; CDR gathered. Grounds weighed: applicant from other State, seriousness of allegations vs youth, custody since August 2024, no recovery/discovery pending, health issues. Ratio: gravity of offence against minor + out-of-State applicant + material on record => bail refused. No precedents cited.
What did the court decide?
On the material on record, the Court found that apparently a serious crime has been committed on a minor: the chargesheet carries statements of the victim and other students who were recipients of the Instagram messages and posts, and CDR of several phone calls was gathered by the investigating machinery.