RAJENDRA DAGDU GAIKWAD Vs. STATE OF MAHARASHTRA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Apprehending arrest in connection with C.R. No.391 of 2022 for the alleged commission of offences punishable under Sec. 376(2)(1), 354, 354-A, 506 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860 and under Sec. 4, 6, 8 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012, the applicant is seeking relief of pre-arrest bail under Sec. 438 of the Criminal Procedure Code, 1973.

(2.) The case of the prosecution, in brief, is as follows: Respondent No.2, who informant, is aged 13 years and 10 months. The informant alleged that she resides with her parents. Her father is in the business of vegetable transport. It is further alleged that her father knew the applicant and used to go to Chakan to meet the applicant. It is further alleged that in August 2021, the informant and her parents went to Chakan as they wanted to buy a plot; hence they went to the applicant's office. It is alleged that the applicant asked the informant which standard she was studying and her ambitions. The informant replied that her wish was to become an actor. Upon this reply, the applicant told the informant's father he has many acquaintances and friendships with many Directors. He can request them to allow the informant to work.

(3.) It is further alleged that on 13/6/2022, the applicant called the informant's father on his mobile phone and told him to bring his daughter as a Director is going to come to Hotel Hyatt in Pune, where the Director will see the acting skills of the informant and will offer her work accordingly. Hence, the informant, along with her parents, went to Pune. It is alleged that after going to Pune, the applicant told them that a room was booked in Hotel O for an audition of the informant, and hence they went to the said room. It is alleged that in the said room, the applicant told them that due to the presence of parents, the informant could not deliver her dialogue clearly as she was embarrassed. The applicant asked the parents to wait outside for some time.