Case brief
What is this about?
Bombay High Court (Shivkumar Dige, J., 28 January 2025) allowed regular bail to Shrikant Rajendra Kale in Crime No. 83/2021, Dattawadi Police Station, Pune (charges: IPC 363, 376(DA), 307, 506(2); POCSO 4, 5(g), 6, 16; Arms Act 3(25), 27; Maharashtra Police Act 37(1)(C) r/w 135). Key factors: record showed applicant absent at the time of the incident and arriving later; victim's Section 164 Cr.P.C. statement did not attribute sexual assault to him despite her supplementary police statement alleging an earlier assault; over three years incarceration; applicant is karta of his family; trial not concluded. Bail on Rs. 25,000/- P.R. bond with one or two sureties, monthly police-station attendance (first Saturday, 11 a.m.-2 p.m.) till framing of charge, and no tampering with evidence or witnesses. No precedents cited; no impugned order challenged.
What did the court decide?
Applicant released on bail in Crime No. 83 of 2021 (Dattawadi Police Station, Pune) on executing a P.R. Bond of Rs. 25,000/- with one or two sureties in the like amount; conditions: attend the concerned police station once a month on first Saturday between 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. till framing of charge, and not tamper with evidence or influence prosecution witnesses.