Poongodi v. State Represented By, the Inspector of Police,

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

22.08.2025 for the alleged offences under Sections 96, 143(4) of BNS, 2023 and Section 81 of Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015 and Subsequently, the said FIR was altered by incorporating the offences punishable Page2 of 6 under Sections 96, 143(5) of BNS, 2023 and Section 81 of Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015 and Sections 4(2) and 6(1) of POCSO Act and Section 4 of Immoral Traffic Prevention Act, 1956 in Crime No.16 of 2025 on the file of the respondent police, seeks bail.

¶2The case of the prosecution is that the accused was indulged in prostitution with the help of minor girl. The accused was arrested and the victim was secured and send to re habitation home. Hence, the case.

¶3The learned counsel appearing for the petitioner submitted that the petitioner has been falsely implicated in the present case and that she has not committed any offence as alleged by the prosecution. He further submitted that the petitioner is ready to abide by any stringent conditions that may be imposed by this Court. Hence, he prays for grant of bail to the Petitioner.

¶4Per contra, the learned Government Advocate (Criminal Side) appearing for the Respondent Police reiterated the prosecution case and submitted that the petitioner has lured the innocent minor girl and has trapped her into vicious circle of prostitution. He further submitted that though Act 14 was invoked against the petitioner later, the same was revoked. He further submitted that the petitioner has no criminal antecedents and that all other co-accused have already been released on bail. However, he opposed the grant of Page3 of 6 bail to the Petitioner.

¶5I have given my anxious consideration to either side submissions and perused the materials available on record.

¶6Considering the facts and circumstances of the case; taking note of the submission made by the learned Government Advocate (Crl.Side); though there is serious allegation against the petitioner, considering that fact that the petitioner being a woman and has been incarcerated since 22.08.2025 and upon the further fact that all other co-accused have already enlarged on bail which factum is not disputed by the learned Government counsel (Crl.Side) and that the petitioner has no criminal antecedents and also taking into consideration of the fact that charge sheet has been filed and taken into file as Spl.S.C.No.5 of 2026, this Court is of the view that further custody of the petitioner for the purpose of investigation is not required. Hence, this Court is inclined to grant bail to the petitioner, subject to certain conditions.

¶7Accordingly, the petitioner is ordered to be released on bail on her executing a bond for a sum of Rs.25,000/- (Rupees Twenty Five Thousand only) with two sureties each, for a like sum to the satisfaction of the learned V Metropolitan Magistrate, Egmore at Chennai, and on further conditions that: [a] the sureties shall affix their photographs and Left Page4 of 6 Thumb Impression in the Application for Surety ship [Judicial Form No.46 annexed to 'The Criminal Rules of Practice, 2019']. The learned Magistrate shall obtain a copy of any one of the identity proofs to ensure their identity; [b] the petitioner shall report before the Court concerned at 10.30 a.m., regularly until further orders; [c] the petitioner shall not abscond either during investigation or trial; [d] the petitioner shall not tamper with the evidence or witness either during investigation or trial; [e] On breach of any of the aforementioned conditions, the learned Magistrate/Trial Court is entitled to pass appropriate orders against the petitioner in accordance with law as if the aforementioned conditions have been imposed and the petitioner 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)13 SCC 283]; [f] If the accused thereafter absconds, a fresh FIR can be registered under Section 269 of B.N.S. 22-07-2026 SHL Page5 of 6 Note:

¶1Registry is directed to forthwith upload this order in the Official Website of this Court.

¶2All concerned to act on this order being uploaded in Official Website of this Court without insisting on certified hard copies. To be noted, this order when uploaded in the official website of this Court will be watermarked and will also have a QR code. To:

¶1The V Metropolitan Magistrate, Egmore at Chennai

¶2The Special Prison for Women, Puzhal, Chennai.

¶3The Inspector of Police, All Women Police Station, Koyambedu, Chennai.

4.The Public Prosecutor, High Court of Madras. CRLoOPoNo.o19483oofo2026 C.KUMARAPPANoJ. SHL CRLoOPoNo.o19483oofo2026 22-07-2026 Page6oofo6

Page1 of 6 IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS DATED: 22-07-2026 CORAM THE HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE C.KUMARAPPAN Poongodi ..Petitioner Vs State represented by, The Inspector of Police, All Women Police Station, Koyambedu, Chennai. ..Respondent PRAYER : Criminal Original Petition filed under Section 483 of Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, to enlarge the petitioner on bail in Crime Number 16 of 2025 on the file of Inspector of Police, W-35, AWPS Koyambedu Police Station, Chennai. For Petitioner: Mr.C.Raghavan For Respondent: Mr.S.Yogaraja Sekar Counsel for Government of Tamil Nadu (Criminal Side)