Bhiwandi Court Denies Bail to Ex-MLA Narendra Pawar in Gangrape Case

The Bhiwandi District Sessions Court in Maharashtra has denied the anticipatory bail application of former BJP MLA Narendra Pawar in connection with a gangrape case. The decision was made on September 28, 2026, following a hearing that took place on September 24. Pawar's legal team is now considering an appeal to the Bombay High Court.

The case revolves around an incident that reportedly occurred at a rest house under the jurisdiction of the Padgha police station, where a 22-year-old married woman was allegedly raped. The court's ruling comes as six police teams have been actively searching for Pawar and another accused, dismissed police constable Shailesh Patil, who have been evading capture for over 13 days since the case was registered.

During the court proceedings, both the defense and the prosecution presented their arguments regarding the bail plea. The defense attempted to undermine the victim's credibility by referencing her chat logs and questioning why she did not call for help despite having recorded a video on her phone. In contrast, the investigating officer, Assistant Police Inspector Deepali Lambhate, argued that the victim was too frightened to report the incident immediately. She explained that the rest house was equipped with remote-operated doors and signal jammers, which hindered the victim's ability to make calls for assistance.

The implications of this case extend beyond the individuals involved, as it raises significant concerns regarding women's safety and the legal processes surrounding sexual assault cases in Maharashtra. The ongoing investigation and the court's decisions will likely influence public perception and trust in the legal system.

Looking ahead, Pawar's legal team is expected to file an appeal in the Bombay High Court in pursuit of anticipatory bail. The outcome of this appeal will be closely monitored, as it could set a precedent for similar cases in the future.