Allowed

Pravin Popatrao Deshmukh v. the State of Maharashtra and Anr.

Bombay HC8 Sept 2026ABA/502/2026

Case brief

AI extract

What is this about?

The High Court allowed an anticipatory bail application filed by a sonography machine vendor accused under the PCPNDT Act and BNS for supplying a machine used for fetal sex determination. The court granted bail subject to bond and reporting conditions.

What did the court decide?

Application allowed. Bail granted upon furnishing PR bond with two sureties. Applicant directed to appear and cooperate in investigation.

Pravin Popatrao Deshmukh Vs the State of Maharashtra and Anr. — Narcotics (NDPS) | Bombay HC (2026)

¶1

1 - ABA - 502 - 2026.doc

¶2

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY CIRCUIT BENCH AT KOLHAPUR CRIMINAL APPELLATE JURISDICTION

¶3

CRIMINAL ANTICIPATORY BAIL APPLICATION NO. 502 OF 2026

¶4

Pravin Popatrao Deshmukh … Applicant Versus. The State of Maharashtra & Anr. … Respondents

¶5

Mr. Omkar C. Tole for the Applicant.

¶6

Ms. Shubhangi N. Deshmukh, APP for the State.

¶7

Mr. Bhosale, Head Constable, Sangola Police Station is present.

¶8

¶9

CORAM : ASHWIN D. BHOBE, J. DATED : SEPTEMBER 8, 2026

¶10

P.C.:

¶11

Heard Mr. Omkar C. Tole, learned Advocate for the Applicant and Ms. Shubhangi N. Deshmukh, learned APP for the State.

¶12

By the present Application filed under Section 482 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, the Applicant seeks anticipatory bail in Crime No. 699 of 2026 registered at Sangola Police Station for offences punishable under Sections 3-A, 5(2), 6(c), 23(1), 25 and 29 of the Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (Prohibition of Sex Selection) Act, 1994, read with Section 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023.

¶13

VRJ

¶14

¶15

1 - ABA - 502 - 2026.doc

¶16

The prosecution case is that Accused No. 1 (Bhaskar Ghadge) used a Sonography machine for foetal sex determination. The Applicant is the vendor of the Sonography machine purchased by Accused No. 1.

¶17

Mr. Omkar C. Tole, learned Advocate for the Applicant, submits that the allegations against the Applicant are that the Applicant sold the Sonography Machine to Accused No. 1. He further submits that apart from the sale of the Sonography Machine to Accused No. 1, the Applicant has no other role in the sex determination of the foetus or in soliciting any patients.

¶18

Ms. Shubhangi N. Deshmukh, learned APP for the State, states that the allegations against the Applicant are that the Applicant sold the Sonography Machine to Accused No. 1 (Bhaskar Ghadge). She submits that the Applicant's custodial interrogation is required to ascertain where the Applicant procured the Sonography Machine before its sale to Accused No. 1 (Bhaskar Ghadge). She further submits that the Applicant is also involved in the sale of another Sonography Machine to a third party.

¶19

Perused the record.

¶20

Perusal of the FIR indicates that the allegation and the involvement of the Applicant in Crime No. 699 of 2026 is limited to the sale of the Sonography Machine to Accused No. 1 (Bhaskar Ghadge), who is alleged to be involved in sex determination of the foetus.

¶21

¶22

VRJ

¶23

1 - ABA - 502 - 2026.doc

¶24

The Applicant, as submitted by Mr. Omkar C. Tole, is a Vendor of the Sonography Machine.

¶25

Considering the nature of the allegations against the Applicant, the custodial interrogation of the Applicant in Crime No. 699 of 2026 is not required.

¶26

Ms. Shubhangi N. Deshmukh, learned APP for the State, submits that the Applicant should appear and report to the Investigating Officer and co-operate with the investigation in Crime No. 699 of 2026.

¶27

Mr. Omkar C. Tole, learned Advocate for the Applicant, on instructions from the Applicant, states that the Applicant shall appear before and report to the Investigating Officer as and when required and shall co-operate with the investigation in Crime No. 699 of 2026. He further on instructions from the Applicant, states that he will provide all details regarding the source from which the Applicant procured the Sonography Machine to the Investigating Officer. Statements are accepted.

¶28

In view of the above, this Anticipatory Bail Application is allowed on the following terms:

¶29

(a) In the event of arrest of the Applicant-Pravin Popatrao Deshmukh in connection with Crime No. 699 of 2026 registered at Sangola Police Station, the Applicant shall be released on bail upon furnishing a PR bond in the sum of Rs. 50,000/- (Rupees

¶30

¶31

VRJ

¶32

1 - ABA - 502 - 2026.doc

¶33

Fifty Thousand Only), with two sureties in the like amount to the satisfaction of the Investigating Officer, Sangola Police Station, District Solapur.

¶34

(b) The Applicant shall appear and report to the Investigating Officer, Sangola Police Station, District Solapur, on 11^th and 12^th September 2026 from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and thereafter as and when required by the Investigating Officer. Applicant shall cooperate in the investigation of Crime No. 699 of 2026.

¶35

(c) The Applicant shall not directly or indirectly make any inducement, threat or promise to any person/s acquainted with the facts of the case to dissuade such person/s from disclosing the facts to the Court or any police officer. Applicant shall not tamper with evidence in any manner.

¶36

(d) The Applicant shall provide the Investigation Officer, Sangola Police Station, District Solapur, with his residential address along with proof, his contact number and must inform the Investigating Officer of any changes to this information from time to time.

¶37