2026:BHC-AS:2374 IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY CRIMINAL APPELLATE JURISDICTION CRIMINAL BAIL APPLICATION NO. 3157 OF 2025 Amol Jaisingh Shingade … Applicant/s Versus The State of Maharashtra and anr. … Respondent/s ____________________________________________________________

Ms. Shubhangi Parulekar, Advocate for the Applicant.

Mr. B.B. Kulkarni, APP for Respondent No.1-State.

Ms. Sailee Dhuru, Advocate for Respondent No.2.

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CORAM : SHIVKUMAR DIGE, J. DATE : 16^th JANUARY, 2026.

P.C. :

1. By this application, the applicant is seeking regular bail in Crime No. 334 of 2022 registered with Shikrapur Police Station, District Pune, for the offences punishable under Sections 376(n), 354-A and 506 of the Indian Penal Code 1860 and Sections 4, 8 and 12 of Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012.

2. It is prosecution’s case that the applicant is a cousin of the first informant. During the period between 2020 and November 2021, the applicant sexually assaulted the first informant on several occasions by threatening her that if she did not maintain a relationship with him, he SHUBHADA would commit suicide. It is alleged that due to the sexual assault, the SHANKAR KADAM victim became pregnant.

SHUBHADA SHANKAR KADAM Date: 2026.01.19 Page 1 of 3

3. It is contention of learned counsel for the applicant that there was a love affair between the applicant and the first informant. At the time of the incident, the victim was more than 15 years and 8 months old. Her evidence is recorded before the Trial Court. She has not supported the prosecution’s case. The applicant is Karta of his family. It may take time to conclude the trial, hence, requested to allow the application.

4. It is contention of learned APP that the applicant sexually assaulted the victim on several occasions, due to which, she became pregnant. The DNA of the fetus matches with the DNA of the applicant. If the applicant is released on bail, he may abscond. The trial is in progress and requested to reject the application.

5. It is contention of learned counsel for the first informant that the first informant has no objection to allowing the application. She has tendered pursis in that regard. It is taken on record and marked “X” for identification.

6. I have heard all learned counsel, perused the FIR and the documents produced on record. The applicant is behind bars for more than three years and six months. There is a delay in lodging the FIR. At the time of the incident, the victim was more than 15 years old. The applicant has no antecedents. It may take time to conclude the trial. Considering these facts, I pass following order:

ORDER (i) The applicant be enlarged on bail in Crime No. 334 of 2022 registered with Shikrapur Police Station, District Pune, on executing P.R.Bond in the sum of Rs.30,000/- with one or two sureties in the like amount.

(ii) The applicant shall attend the concerned police station as and when required.

(iii) The applicant shall not tamper with the evidence or attempt to influence or contact the complainant, witnesses or any person concerned with the case.

The application is allowed in the aforesaid terms and is accordingly disposed of.

6. It is made clear that the above observations are made only for the purpose of granting bail and the Trial Court shall decide the case on its own merits in accordance with law and uninfluenced by the observations made in this order.

7. All concerned to act on the authenticated copy of this order.

(SHIVKUMAR DIGE, J.)