VIJAY RAMCHANDRA JADGALE Vs. STATE OF MAHARASHTRA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Heard learned counsel for the applicants, intervenor and the learned Additional Public Prosecutor for the State.

(2.) Apprehending arrest in connection with Crime No.0203 of 2020 registered with Vishnu Nagar Police Station for the ofences punishble under Sections 420, 417, 354(a), 375, 375(A)(B), 376, 406, 506, 506-II read with Section 34 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860 (' IPC ' for short), applicants are seeking pre-arrest bail.

(3.) Complainant's case is as under: Complainant registered her name on matrimonial web-site. On viewing her matrimonial profile, Applicant No.2 (father of applicant no.1), contacted complainant's father in December, 2018 and told that his son Vijay (Applicant No.1) was unmarried and expressed his interest in her profile. It is complainant's case that matrimonial profile of applicant no.1 categorically stated his marital status as "Never Married". Believing declaration made in the matrimonial profile to be true on 5th May, 2019, ring ceremony was fixed and marriage was fixed on 26 th May, 2019, in agreement and acceptance of both the families. On such agreement and acceptance, invitation cards were printed. It is complainant's case that under repeatedly given belief, promise and understanding of getting married soon, applicant no.1 from time to time dishonestly and fraudulently outraged her modesty. It is alleged that on the promise of getting married soon, she was sexually exploited by applicant no.1 in terms of Clause (b) of Section 375 of the IPC, which reads as under: