MANGESH SADASHIV BHANDARE vs THE STATE OF MAHARASHTRA AND ANOTHER — APPLN/1154/2026

Summary: The Bombay High Court at Aurangabad quashed FIR No. 129/2024 and the charge-sheet against 24-year-old Mangesh Sadashiv Bhandare, who was accused of stalking and defamation under IPC sections 354-D, 506, 500 and POCSO Act sections 11-12. The court found no prima facie case for conviction, noting the applicant's young age, lack of criminal antecedents, and absence of repeated stalking with sexual intent. After the applicant and the 16-year-old victim reached an amicable settlement, with the victim and her parents affidavit confirming they would not pursue prosecution, the court exercised its inherent powers under CrPC section 482 to quash proceedings, citing unnecessary harassment to the victim's family and wastage of judicial time. This case analysis is maintained by casestatus.in based on publicly available court records.