Mumbai, May 17, 2024 – Kiran Girdhar Maru has been granted bail by the Sessions Court for Greater Mumbai pending the outcome of his criminal appeal. Additional Sessions Judge K.P. Shrikhande (Court Room No. 87) issued the order on May 14, 2024.
Maru was convicted by the trial court in C.C. No. 364/PW/2014 for offenses under Sections 452 (house-trespass after preparation for hurt) and 354 (assault or criminal force to woman with intent to outrage her modesty)1 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). He was sentenced to one year of simple imprisonment and fines for each offense.
Background:
Maru was convicted by the trial court on April 1, 2024, and subsequently filed Criminal Appeal No. 294 of 2024 to challenge his conviction and sentence. He then filed Criminal Bail Application No. 1171 of 2024 seeking bail pending the appeal’s resolution.
Arguments Presented:
Advocate Sejal Nalawade, representing Maru, filed the bail application.
Additional Public Prosecutor (APP) Kishor Tadavi, representing the State, opposed the bail, stating that the offenses were serious and there was a possibility of Maru absconding.
Court’s Reasoning and Decision:
Judge Shrikhande noted that Maru was on bail throughout the trial. He also considered that Maru had challenged the trial court’s judgment by filing an appeal and that the substantive sentence had been suspended.
Based on these factors, the court decided to grant Maru bail pending the appeal.
Bail Conditions:
Maru was granted bail upon executing a personal bond of Rs. 25,000 with a surety of the same amount. The following conditions were imposed:
- Maru must furnish the bail before the trial court within one month.
- Maru is granted the liberty to furnish cash security in lieu of a solvent surety.
Order Details:
The order was typed on May 15, 2024, and signed on a later date. The certified copy was uploaded on May 17, 2024, at 10:30 a.m.
This decision reflects the court’s consideration of Maru’s conduct during the trial, the filing of an appeal, and the suspension of the substantive sentence.