EZZAKK SHASHIKUMAR NAIK Vs. STATE OF MAHARASHTRA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) By the present application, the applicant seek his release in anticipation of his arrest in connection with FIR lodged against him with Rajgad Police Station, Taluka Bhor, District Pune vide C.R.No.523 of 2020. The said C.R. invoke Sections 376 and 354 of IPC alongwith Section 12 of POCSO Act, 2012.

(2.) The applicant, a sexagenarian, is working with the Vangelical Alliance Ministries Trust, Nashik, a Public Charitable Trust. There is an existing dispute of the Trust with one expelled trustee, who was charged with commission of fraud and illegal activities and an restraint order has been passed against him in the past. The submission of the applicant is, the present FIR is a counter attack to the said action against him and the complainant has been projected for levelling the allegations of rape against the applicant. It would be therefore necessary to examine the allegations in the complaint filed by the prosecutrix, based on which the subject FIR has been registered.

(3.) The prosecutrix has lodged a complaint on 27 th August, 2020 with Rajgad Police Station. The complaint is against one person named Naik, without giving any other details. The prosecutrix allege that she is resident of Mangewadi and is residing with her minor daughter and sister at the given address. She is engaged in petty house hold work in the adjoining area and is residing separately from her husband for last five years. She refers to an incident, which took place before two and half years, in the month of May or June 2018, when she was in search of work and she came to know that in a Girls' School in Khed Shivapur, there was a need of a staff for cleaning purposes. She approached the Mission School and there a man with mustache was sitting. When she pleaded with him to engage her, he informed her that there is no vacancy, but assured that since one of the employee is likely to be ousted, she should come after 2-3 days. She then gathered that the name of the person to whom she has spoken was Shri Naik. After two days, she again visited Mission School and met Naik sir, who asked her to come after a week. She again approached after a week and was informed that there is no vacancy. The complainant alleged that though she visited the school on 2-3 occasions in the month, she was not offered any work. After some days, she again visited the school and Mr.Naik offered her work and told her that she would get 20,000/- to 25,000/- for the said work, but she must act as per his instructions. On this assurance, she went to the school and spoke to Mr.Naik, who is reported to have stated that she will be given work, but for that purpose, the complainant would have to establish physical intimacy with him and she will have to be at his beck and call. Thereafter, it is stated that he took her to one room, which was located at the back side of the building and he indulged into sexual intercourse. He thereafter said that he would engage her and pay an amount of Rs.22,000/- to 25,000/- since she had pleased him. She was asked to come back after two-three days. The incident was repeated and the allegation is that on the assurance that she would be offered some job, Mr.Naik (the applicant) had compelled her to establish physical relationship. One more time, the incident was repeated. Then, she said that on one occasion, her sister's daughter Reshma aged 14 years had accompanied her to the school when she went to meet the applicant and the minor girl complained to her that an aged person whom she pointed out as Mr.Naik had hugged her.