Bombay High Court Grants Interim Protection to Mumbai Police Officer in Pune FIR; No Coercive Action Till August 24

Mumbai/Pune, 18th August 2026: The Bombay High Court has granted interim protection from coercive action to a civil services aspirant who is also serving as an Assistant Police Inspector (API) at Malad Police Station in Mumbai in connection with an FIR registered at the Warje-Malwadi Police Station in Pune.

The order was passed on Monday, August 17, by Justice Madhav J. Jamdar in the matter of Swadesh Chavhan v. State of Maharashtra. The court directed that no coercive action be taken against the applicant until August 24, when the matter is scheduled to be heard further.

During the hearing, Advocate Aashuutosh Srivastava, appearing for the applicant, placed before the court the background and chronology of the relationship between the applicant and the informant.

According to the submissions made on behalf of the applicant, the two had met through the Bumble dating application and were adults at the time. The defence submitted that the relationship was consensual and continued for a period before differences arose between them.

The court was also informed that the applicant had been preparing for the Civil Services examinations during the relevant period. The defence referred to an earlier non-cognisable (NC) report allegedly lodged by the applicant, which it said formed part of the chronology placed before the court.

The applicant’s counsel submitted that the allegations should be considered in the context of the overall relationship and communications between the parties. The counsel also stated that the applicant was willing to cooperate with the legal process.

After hearing the submissions, the High Court granted ad-interim protection from coercive action until August 24. The matter will be considered further on the next date of hearing.

The court’s interim order does not constitute a final determination of the allegations, which remain subject to the ongoing legal proceedings.

Advocate Aashuutosh Srivastava, appearing for the applicant, said the defence would continue to place its submissions before the court and expressed confidence in the judicial process.