( 1 ) IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE OF BOMBAY BENCH AT AURANGABAD CRIMINAL APPLICATION NO. 4132 OF 2010 Bhagwan Namdeo Bangar, R/o Dulechandgaon, Tq. Pathardi, Dist. Ahmednagar APPLICANT VERSUS The State of Maharashtra RESPONDENT .... Mr. N.V. Gaware, advocate for the applicant. Mr. B.J. Sonawane, APP for the respondent/State. .... [CORAM : V.R. KINGAONKAR, J.] [DATE : 19th November, 2010] PER COURT : 1. This is an application for bail. 2. The applicant is not named in the FIR. The FIR is lodged by father of the minor girl by name Prajakta. It is alleged that Subhash Bangar had developed some intimacy with Prajakta, aged about 16 years. Said Subhash Bangar used to ply a Tata Sumo jeep vehicle and used to allow the passengers to travel in the jeep vehicle on hire basis. Allegedly, on 28th August, 2010, Prajakta was kidnapped by said Subhash Bangar and his friends. ( 2 ) 3. Having heard learned advocate for the applicant and learned APP and on perusal of the investigation papers, it emerges that name of the applicant is shown in the additional statement subsequently recorded by the police as the person who was found travelling in the jeep vehicle on the relevant day and Prajakta was taken away by Subhash Bangar at subsequent stage. The fact that the applicant was found travelling in the jeep vehicle by itself cannot be regarded as his active participation in the crime, prima facie, in as much as the jeep vehicle itself was being used on hire basis. In any case, the further detention of the applicant is not required for any effective investigation. 4. For the reasons aforestated, the application is allowed. The applicant is directed to be released on bail on furnishing of bail bonds in sum of Rs. 20,000/- (rupees twenty thousand) with one surety bond in like sum, before the Court of Sessions. [V.R. KINGAONKAR] JUDGE NPJ/criapln4132-10 ( 3 )