Mohammad Afak Bakridi Shaikh Idrishi v. State of Maharashtra
Case brief
What is this about?
Criminal Bail Application No.3658 of 2025, High Court of Judicature at Bombay, R.M. Joshi J., order dated 04-05-2026: bail allowed in a POCSO/BNS 2023 matter (Crime No.199 of 2025, Malvani Police Station; charges under BNS Ss.137(2), 64, 64(2), (d), (ch), 65, 75, 3(5) and POCSO Ss.4, 5 (l), (n), 6, 10, 17, 21) where the minor victim is the applicant's maternal-side relative. Key factors: victim's earlier statements in Crime No.579 of 2024 before the police and the Magistrate contained no allegation against the applicant; non-disclosure to the independent Magistrate created serious doubt; inconsistent statements at different stages of investigation require corroboration though a reliable victim's statement can solely ground conviction; applicant has no criminal history. PR bond Rs.15,000 with one or two sureties; conditions against contacting victim/witnesses or interfering with evidence; observations expressly prima facie and non-binding on the Trial Court.