"It May Take Time To Conclude Trial”: Bombay HC Grants Bail To Septuagenarian Accused Of Performing Human Sacrifice
The Bombay High Court granted bail to 70-year-old man from Satara accused of brutally murdering a young girl as part of a human sacrifice ritual intended to gain prosperity and hidden wealth.
The murder is alleged to have occurred in 2019 when he conspired with other accused individuals to sacrifice the victim. While he reportedly kept watch, another co-accused allegedly slit the victim’s throat. The charges include Section 302 (murder), Section 201 (destruction of evidence), Section 120-B (criminal conspiracy), Section 34 (common intention) of the Indian Penal Code, and Section 3 of the Maharashtra Prevention and Eradication of Human Sacrifice and other Inhuman, Evil and Aghori Practices and Black Magic Act, 2013.
A Bench of Justice SG Dige, while acknowledging the seriousness of the allegations, noted, "The applicant is more than 70 year old, he is behind bar for more than two years. Charge has been framed against the applicant, yet trial has not been commenced. It may take time to conclude the trial,"
The Court made it clear that the decision to grant bail was based on these factors, but it also warned that the trial court must independently decide the case, uninfluenced by the observations made in this bail order.
Advocate Shreyas Barsawade appeared for the Applicants and Advocate Sangeeta D. Shinde appeared for the respondent.
The Court granted bail with strict conditions.He was required to execute a personal bond of ₹50,000 with one or two sureties of the same amount, and to report to the nearest police station once a month until the trial is completed. He was also instructed to inform the police of any changes to his address or contact information.
Furthermore, the Court imposed restrictions on his movement, prohibiting him from entering Satara District except for attending court proceedings. He was also forbidden from tampering with evidence or contacting witnesses related to the case.
With these conditions, he was granted bail, but the Court made it clear that the trial would proceed independently of the bail order’s observations.
Cause Title: Phoolsingh Shevu Rathod & Anr. v. State of Maharashtra
