Ragupathi v. Home, Prohibition and Excise Department

ORDER The petitioner, who was arrested and remanded to judicial custody on

17.03.2026 for the offences punishable under Sections 15(1), 15(2) of POCSO Act, 2012 and Section 351(2) of BNS in Crime No.11 of 2026 on the file of respondent police seeks bail.

2.The allegation against the petitioner is that the defacto complainant is the father of the victim minor girl. The petitioner had lured the victim minor girl through snap chat with false promises under the guise of love and the petitioner requested her to take and send nude photographs of herself and consequently, the victim minor girl complied and sent them. Thereafter, the petitioner continuously threatened and intimidated the victim minor girl through Instagram. Thereafter, the petitioner penetrative sexually assaulted on the victim minor girl. Based on the complaint lodged by the father of the victim minor girl, the respondent police registered a case against the petitioner and he was arrested and remanded to judicial custody on 17.03.2026.

¶3The learned Counsel for the petitioner submitted that the petitioner is an innocent person and he has not committed any offence as alleged by the prosecution and he has been falsely implicated in this case. He further submitted that the petitioner was arrested and remanded to judicial custody on

17.03.2026. He further submitted that the petitioner is ready to co-operate with Page3 of 5 the investigation/trial process. Hence, he prayed for grant of bail to the petitioner.

¶4Mr.V.J.Priyadarsana, learned Government Advocate (Criminal Side) appearing for the respondent police, reiterated the prosecution case and submitted that the petitioner had lured the victim minor girl through snapchat with false promises under the guise of love, and he requested her to take and send nude photographs of herself, thereafter, the victim minor girl complied and sent them. Thereafter, he continuously threatened and intimidated the victim minor girl through Instagram and he had penetrative sexually assaulted on the victim minor girl. He further submitted that the statement of the victim minor girl has not recorded and investigation of this case is pending. He further submitted that if the accused released on bail, he may be absconded and may not appear at the time of trial. Therefore, he vehemently opposed to grant bail to the petitioner.

5.Considering the gravity of offence committed by the petitioner; that the investigation of this case is pending; if bail is granted to the petitioner, he may be absconded, may not appear at the time of trial and would tamper the witnesses, this Court is not inclined to grant bail to the petitioner. Page4 of 5

6.Accordingly, this Criminal Original Petition shall stands dismissed. 06-05-2026 Index: Yes/No Speaking/Non-speaking order MSM To The Home, Prohibition and Excise Department AWPS –East, Coimbatore City (Crime No.11/2026)

2.The Public Prosecutor, High Court, Madras. CRLoOPoNo.o10727oofo2026 L.VICTORIAoGOWRI,oJ. MSM CRLoOPoNo.o10727oofo2026 06-05-2026 Page5oofo5

Page1 of 5 IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS DATED: 06-05-2026 CORAM THE HON'BLE MRS.JUSTICE L.VICTORIA GOWRI Ragupathi S/o.Muthusamy , 8/25/3, Chillamadai Pudur, Vellakoil, Villarasampatti, Erode Taluk, Erode District. ..Petitioner(s) Vs Home, Prohibition and Excise Department AWPS -East Coimbatore City (Crime No.11/2026) ..Respondent(s) Prayer: Criminal Original Petition filed under Section 483 of BNSS Act, 2023, praying to enlarge the petitioner on bail in Crime No.11 of 2026 on the file of the Respondent police, pending investigation. For Petitioner(s): R.Arjun Visvanathan For Respondent(s): Mr.V.J. Priyadarsana Government Advocate [Criminal Side] Page2 of 5