C. Pradeepkumar v. State Rep. by the Inspector of Police

ORDER The petitioner, who apprehends arrest at the hands of the respondent police for the offences punishable under Sections 7, 8, 11(4) and 12 of POCSO Act in connection with the Cr. No.13 of 2025, seeks anticipatory bail.

¶2The allegation against the petitioner is that the petitioner had developed a relationship with the daughter of the defacto complainant through INSTAGRAM and taking advantage of loneliness of the victim girl, the petitioner had taken the victim girl to various places and committed sexual assault. Hence, the case.

¶3Learned counsel for the petitioner submitted that petitioner innocent person, and he has been falsely implicated by the respondent police. He further submitted that the petitioner had developed a friendship with the victim girl through INSTAGRAM and the victim parents having misconstrued the relationship had lodged a false compliant against the petitoiner. Hence, he prays for grant of anticipatory bail to the petitioner.

¶4Learned Government Advocate (Criminal Side) appearing for the respondent police reiterated the prosecution's case and produced the copy of the statement of the victim girl recorded under Section 183 of BNSS Act. She further submitted that the investigation in this case is pending and opposed for grant of anticipatory bail to the petitioner.

¶5Heard both sides and perused the materials available on record.

¶6I have gone through the statement of the victim girl recorded under Section 183 of BNSS Act, which reveals that the petitioner has not committed any sexual assault on the victim girl, the custodial interrogation of the petitioner is not necessary and also considering all other factors, I am inclined to grant anticipatory bail to the petitioner subject to the following conditions.

¶7Accordingly, the petitioner is ordered to be released on bail in the event of arrest or on is appearance, within a period of fifteen (15) days from the date on which the order copy made ready, before the learned Sessions Judge, Special Court of Exclusive Trial of Cases under POCSO Act, Chennai, on condition that the petitioner shall execute a bond for a sum of Rs.15,000/- (Rupees Fifteen Thousand only) with two sureties each for a like sum to the satisfaction of the learned Magistrate concerned and on further condition that: [a] the petitioner shall report before the respondent police daily at

10.30 am., for a period two weeks and thereafter as and when required for interrogation. [b] the petitioner shall not, directly or indirectly, make any inducement, threat or promise to any person acquainted with the facts of the case so as to dissuade them from disclosing such facts to the Court or to any police officer or tamper with the evidence; [c] the petitioner shall not leave India without the previous permission of the Court; [d] the petitioner shall not abscond either during investigation or trial. [e] On breach of any of the aforesaid conditions, the learned Magistrate/Trial Court is entitled to take appropriate action against the petitioners in accordance with law as if the conditions have been imposed and the petitioners released on bail by the learned Magistrate/Trial Court himself as laid down by the Hon'ble Supreme Court in P.K.Shaji vs. State of Kerala [(2005)AIR SCW 5560]. [f] If the accused thereafter abscond, a fresh FIR can be registered under Section 269 B.N.S.2023.

29.01.2026 jai To

1.The Inspector of Police, W-26, All Women Police Station, Ashok Nagar, Chennai.

¶2The Sessions Judge, Special Court of Exclusive Trial of Cases under POCSO Act, Chennai

¶3The Public Prosecutor, High Court of Madras.

K.RAJASEKAR, J. jai CRL OP No.1996 of 2026

29-01-2026

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS DATED: 29.01.2026 CORAM THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE K. RAJASEKAR C.Pradeepkumar Petitioner(s) Vs State rep.by, The Inspector of Police, W-26, All Women Police Station, Ashok Nagar, Chennai. Cr.No.13 of 2025. Respondent(s) PRAYER This Criminal Original Petition is filed under Section 482 of BNSS to enlarge the petitioners on anticipatory bail in the event on his arrest by the respondent police in Cr.No.13 of 2025 on the file of the respondent police. For Petitioner(s): Mr.Javid Akbar For Respondent(s): Ms.J.R.Archana, GA (Crl.Side)