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Synopsis

A single-judge bench of the Bombay High Court comprising Justice MS Karnik has recently granted bail to a man booked for forcing a Bangladeshi minor into prostitution.

The high court was considering a bail plea of a woman who was booked under the Indian Penal Code, Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act, 1956,  Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, and Foreigners Act, 1946.

The FIR was registered against the woman on 30th November 2018 and she was arrested on 1 December 2018.

The court considered the statement of the victim wherein the court noted that the allegations were made against the main accused and not the co-accused who was the present applicant before the court.

The bench also noted that the investigation was complete and the applicant was in custody for more than four years and eight months with the possibility of the trial commencing and concluding any time soon seeming remote.

Further, the bench in its order said that the investigation was complete and the chargesheet was also filed and that there were no criminal antecedents against the applicant.

Therefore the bench while allowing the bail application asked the woman to furnish a P.R. Bond of Rs.50,000 with one or more sureties in the like amount.

However, the bench added it is open for the concerned authorities to proceed in accordance with the law as the applicant is a Bangladeshi National.

The bench also expressed gratitude for the able assistance rendered by Advocate Priyanka H. Chavan representing the victim in these proceedings. The high court asked the Legal Services Authority may regularize the appointment of Advocate Priyanka H. Chavan.

Case title: Jannatul Firdous Roy vs State of Maharashtra