Ajit Pathrikar IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY CRIMINAL APPELLATE JURISDICTION BAIL APPLICATION NO. 649 OF 2025 Devram Kalu Bhoi ...Applicant Versus State Of Maharashtra ...Respondent Ms. Nasreen Ayubi, for the Applicant.

Ms. Anuja S. Gotad, APP for the State-Respondent.

Mr. Atharva S. Jagtap, for Respondent No.2 (appointed through legal aid).

CORAM DR. NEELA GOKHALE, J.

DATED: 14^th JANUARY 2026 PC:-

1. The Applicant seeks his release on bail in connection with FIR No. 98 of 2020 dated 8^th October 2020 registered with the Mokhada Police Station, Palghar for the offences punishable under Sections 376-E, 5(j)(2), 5(l) and 6 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012 (for short, the ‘POCSO Act’).

2. The victim is stated to be 12 years of age at the time of the incident, while the Applicant is stated to be 26 years of age.

3. The facts of the case, in brief, are that the victim had gone to her friend’s house to comb her hair. The Applicant is alleged to have entered the house and sexually assaulted her. One neighbor, namely Krishna Walvi, heard her shouts and pleas for help, went into the said room and saw the Applicant in a supine position on top of the victim. Si