IBRAHIM DADABHAI SHAIKH Vs. STATE OF MAHARASHTRA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Heard learned counsel for the applicant, the learned APP for the respondent-State as also learned appointed counsel for respondent No. 2 - victim.

(2.) The applicant has approached this Court apprehending arrest in connection with FIR No. 0832 of 2025, dtd. 31/7/2025, registered with Rahuri Police Station, District Ahilyanagar, for the offences punishable under Ss. 119(1), 189(2), 191(1), 190, 115(2), 351(2), 352 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, Ss. 3(1)(r), 3(1)(s), 3(1)(w)(i), 3(2)(v-a) of the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989, and under Sec. 8 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012.

(3.) The prosecution case, in brief, is that the informant is the victim aged about 17 years. On 31/7/2025 at about 11:00 a.m., at Rahuri, District Ahilyanagar, a group of persons including the applicant/accused Nos.1 to 7 were allegedly involved in a dispute with the victim's family. It is alleged that while the accused were constructing a wall near the victim's house, the victim's father objected claiming ownership of the land, whereupon the accused allegedly made caste-based remarks stating that the land did not belong to a Bhil and abused the victim and her family members using casteist slurs. It is further alleged that the applicant/accused No.2 Ibrahim grabbed the victim's hand and pulled her towards him, thereby outraging her modesty. It is also alleged that the victim's mother was assaulted when she attempted to intervene and that accused No.3 Dadabhai snatched a gold chain from her neck. After villagers gathered at the spot, the accused allegedly issued threats to kill and left the scene. Thereafter, the FIR came to be lodged.