In a significant ruling, the Bombay High Court has granted bail to 70-year-old Mohansingh Sitaram Naik, who was accused of involvement in a human sacrifice case in Maharashtra’s Satara district. The Court cited his advanced age and prolonged incarceration as key factors in the decision.
Justice SG Dige, while acknowledging the seriousness of the allegations, noted that Naik had been in custody for over two years without the trial beginning.
“The applicant is more than 70 years 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 observed.
The case pertains to the alleged murder of a young girl in 2019 as part of a ritualistic human sacrifice intended to bring prosperity and hidden wealth. The prosecution accused Naik of conspiring in the crime and standing guard while another co-accused slit the victim’s throat.
Naik was charged under multiple sections of the Indian Penal Code, including Section 302 (murder), Section 201 (destruction of evidence), Section 120-B (criminal conspiracy), and Section 34 (common intention), as well as Section 3 of the Maharashtra Prevention and Eradication of Human Sacrifice and other Inhuman, Evil and Aghori Practices and Black Magic Act, 2013.
His counsel argued that Naik’s age and the delayed trial warranted bail, also questioning the reliability of a key witness whose testimony surfaced three years after the incident. The prosecution, however, strongly opposed the bail plea, warning that Naik could influence witnesses or abscond.
After weighing the arguments, the Court granted bail under strict conditions, including a ₹50,000 personal bond, monthly police station visits, a ban on entering Satara district (except for court proceedings), and restrictions on contacting witnesses or tampering with evidence.
The Court clarified that its decision would not impact the trial’s outcome, stating that it must proceed “uninfluenced by the observations made in this order.”
Case: Phoolsingh Shevu Rathod and anr vs State of Maharashtra – Available on LAWFYI.IO
