Bombay HC Denies Bail to Bhiwandi Temple Priest Accused of Sexually Assaulting Minor Boy in Temple

The Bombay High Court denied bail to Mahendra Prasad Parasanath Pandey, a Bhiwandi temple priest accused of sexually assaulting a minor boy inside the temple on October 26, 2020.

The Court cited CCTV footage and noted serious charges under IPC Section 377 and POCSO Act Sections 4, 8, and 12, along with the risk of witness tampering, justified continued detention.

Pandey, arrested on October 27, 2020, has been in custody for nearly five years without a trial completion. The Court directed the trial to be expedited and permitted Pandey to reapply for bail after six months. (Mahendra Prasad Parasanath Pandey v State of Maharashtra and anr)