Mumbai, February 22, 2022 – Rajankumar Poman Yadav (28), Praan Ranjankumar Yadav (20), and Jerry Parmeshwar Shaha @ Jhari Saw (32) have been granted bail by the Sessions Court for Greater Bombay in a brothel case. Additional Sessions Judge Sanjashree J. Gharat (Court Room No. 39) issued the order on February 16, 2022.
The three men were arrested in connection with C.R. No. 02/2022, registered at the D.B. Marg Police Station, for offenses under Section 370(3) (trafficking of a person) read with Section 34 (acts done by several persons in furtherance of common intention) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), and Sections1 3, 4, 5, and 7(1)(b) of the Immoral Traffic Prevention Act (ITPA).
Background and Allegations:
Based on information from a reliable source, the police conducted a raid at Raval Building and found that the accused were compelling women into prostitution. They were allegedly living off the earnings of prostitution and running a brothel within 200 meters of Queen Mary High School.
Arguments Presented:
Advocate P.R. Dave, representing the accused, argued that they were falsely implicated, the victims were adults engaged in prostitution willingly, and therefore, Section 370 of the IPC and Section 5 of the ITPA were not applicable. He also stated that the investigation was complete and the accused were ready to abide by bail conditions.
Additional Public Prosecutor (APP) Mrs. Kshirsagar, representing the State, opposed the bail, arguing that the investigation was ongoing and the accused would likely tamper with evidence and threaten witnesses if released.
Court’s Reasoning and Decision:
Judge Gharat reviewed the prosecution’s case and arguments. She noted that the raid occurred on January 5, 2022, and the victims were found to be adults. The court also observed that the prosecution did not allege that the accused procured the women for prostitution or compelled them into it.
The court further noted that the incriminating evidence had already been seized during the raid. Considering the nature of the allegations, the court granted the accused bail.
Bail Conditions:
The accused were granted bail upon furnishing a personal bond of Rs. 20,000 each with one or more solvent sureties of the same amount. The following conditions were imposed:
- The accused must visit the D.B. Marg Police Station once a week (every Wednesday between 10:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.) and maintain a diary of their visits until the trial’s conclusion.
- They must not leave Maharashtra without prior permission from the court.
- They must submit proof of their residential address, phone number, Aadhar Card, and Election Card (if any).
- They must not involve themselves in any crime.
- They must not tamper with prosecution evidence or witnesses.
- They must not directly or indirectly influence, threaten, or promise any person acquainted with the facts of the case.
- They must regularly attend all court dates.
- They must not visit the places where prosecution witnesses reside or contact them.
- Violation of any condition may result in the cancellation of their bail.
- Provisional cash bail of Rs. 20,000 each was allowed for eight weeks.
Order Details:
The order was typed on February 17, 2022, and checked and signed on February 18, 2022. The certified copy was uploaded on February 22, 2022, at 3:30 p.m.
This decision reflects the court’s consideration of the adult status of the victims, the completion of the initial seizure of evidence, and the imposition of conditions to ensure the accused’s cooperation and prevent potential interference with the legal process.