Anuj Hariom Gupta vs the State of Maharashtra and Anr. — Bombay HC (2026) — LawSathi Research

Anuj Hariom Gupta vs the State of Maharashtra and Anr. — Bombay HC (2026) — LawSathi Research

What the court decided

AI extract

Outcome

Anticipatory bail granted: in the event of arrest in Crime No.264 of 2024 the Applicant shall be released on bail on a P.R. Bond of Rs.25,000/- with one or two solvent sureties in the like amount; he shall co-operate with the Investigating Agency and shall not tamper with prosecution witnesses/evidence; all pending Applications disposed of.

Issue for consideration

Whether the Applicant, apprehending arrest in connection with Crime No.264 of 2024 registered with Lonavala Rural Police Station, Pune, for offences under Sections 376 and 417 IPC (alleged sexual assault on promise of marriage), should be granted anticipatory bail / release on bail in the event of arrest, given that the investigation is complete and the charge-sheet has been filed.

Court's answer

As the charge-sheet has been filed against the Applicant, the investigation being completed and the Applicant having co-operated in the investigation, his custodial interrogation is not required.

Ratio / Principle

In the event of his arrest in connection with Crime No.264 of 2024 (Lonavala Rural Police Station, Pune), the Applicant shall be released on bail on executing a P.R. Bond of Rs.25,000/- with one or two solvent sureties in the like amount.

Detailed headnote1 paragraphs

Criminal Anticipatory Bail Application No.2922 of 2024, High Court of Judicature at Bombay (Shivkumar Dige, J.), decided 08-06-2026: anticipatory bail allowed to applicant Anuj Hariom Gupta, who was apprehending arrest in Crime No.264 of 2024 registered with Lonavala Rural Police Station, Pune, for offences under Sections 376 and 417 IPC. Prosecution case: the Applicant and Complainant worked in the same bank; the Applicant allegedly sexually assaulted the Complainant on various occasions on the promise of marriage and thereafter refused to marry her; the State contended custodial interrogation was required. The Applicant had been on interim relief for two years, the investigation was completed, the charge-sheet filed, and he had co-operated; he had also filed a discharge application before the Trial Court. Holding: custodial interrogation not required; in the event of arrest, release on a P.R. Bond of Rs.25,000/- with one or two solvent sureties in the like amount, subject to conditions of co-operation with the Investigating Agency and non-tampering with prosecution witnesses/evidence; all pending applications disposed of.

12-ABA-2922-2024.doc

N.S.Kamble

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY CRIMINAL APPELLATE JURISDICTION

CRIMINAL ANTICIPATORY BAIL APPLICATION NO.2922 OF 2024

Anuj Hariom Gupta ...Applicant VERSUS The State Of Maharashtra And Anr ...Respondents

Digitally signed NILAM by NILAMSANTOSH SANTOSH KAMBLE KAMBLE Date:2026.06.09 17:27:07 +0530

Mr.Jugal Kanani, for the Applicant. Mr.S.S. Pednekar, APP for Respondent-State. Ms.Manali Joshi i/b Mr.Rahul Shelke, for Respondent No.2. Mr.V.V. Mhetre, API, Lonavala Rural Police Station.

CORAM : SHIVKUMAR DIGE, J. DATE : 8^th JUNE 2026

P.C. :

. The Applicant is apprehending arrest, in connection with

investigation of Crime No.264 of 2024 registered with Lonavala Rural Police Station, Pune, for the offences punishable under Sections 376 and 417 of the Indian Penal Code (‘IPC’ for short).

It is prosecution’s case that the Applicant and Complainant were working in same bank. It is alleged that the Applicant sexually assaulted the Complainant on various occasions on the promise of marriage and thereafter he refused to marry her.

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12-ABA-2922-2024.doc

N.S.Kamble

It is contention of learned counsel for the Applicant that the Applicant is on interim relief for two years. Investigation is completed and charge-sheet has been filed. The Applicant has filed Application for discharge before the Trial Court. The relationship between the Applicant and Complainant was consensual. Complainant was major. No custodial interrogation of the Applicant is required and requested to allow the Application.

It is contention of learned APP and learned counsel for Respondent No.2 that the Applicant sexually assaulted Complainant on various occasions on the promise of marriage. The Applicant repeatedly had sexual intercourse with first informant against her will and without her consent. Considering the allegations against Applicant, the custodial interrogation is required. Hence, requested to reject the Application.

I have heard all learned counsel. Perused FIR and documents produced on record.

The Applicant is on interim relief for two years. The investigation is completed and charge-sheet has been filed. The Applicant has co-operated in the investigation. As charge-sheet has

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12-ABA-2922-2024.doc

N.S.Kamble

been filed against the Applicant, his custodial interrogation is not

required and I pass following order.

ORDER

(i) The Application is allowed. (ii) In the event of his arrest in connection with investigation of Crime No.264 of 2024 registered with Lonavala Rural Police Station, Pune, the Applicant shall be released on bail on executing a P.R. Bond in the sum of Rs.25,000/- with one or two solvent sureties in the like amount.

(iii) The applicant shall co-operate with the Investigating Agency and shall not tamper with the prosecution witnesses/evidence.

(iv) All pending Applications are disposed of.

(SHIVKUMAR DIGE, J.)

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