The Bombay High Court has granted anticipatory bail to a 20-year-old student, the son of a Congress leader in Maharashtra, who was accused of using abusive language against a 14-year-old girl during an Instagram chat.
The incident, which occurred on May 31, led to the registration of an FIR at Vile Parle Police Station on June 2 under Section 79 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, Section 12 of the POCSO Act, and Section 67 of the Information Technology Act.
Justice RN Laddha observed that both parties acknowledged the exchange as an “immature and unguarded” interaction between two young individuals.
The applicant’s counsel, advocates Snigdha Khandelwal and Ali Kaashif Khan Deshmukh, argued that the incident lacked malicious intent and arose spontaneously during an online disagreement.
The girl’s family, represented by advocate Shirish Shigwan, supported the bail plea, citing a consent affidavit dated July 8 and stating that there was no grievance.
Additional Public Prosecutor Swapnil Walve noted the gravity of the allegations but acknowledged that the investigation was nearly complete and no further recovery was needed, apart from the applicant’s mobile phone, which the defence agreed to surrender immediately.
Justice Laddha, taking into account the specific circumstances, granted anticipatory bail with conditions. The court directed the applicant to hand over his phone, cooperate fully with the investigation, and abstain from contacting the victim or attempting to influence witnesses.
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