Saranraj v. State Rep by Inspector of Police,

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

28.05.2026 for the alleged offences under Sections 64(2)(m) of BNS, 2023 and Section 5(1), 5(j)(ii) and 6(1) of POCSO Act, 2012 in Crime No.21 of 2026 on the file of the respondent police, seeks bail.

¶2The case of the prosecution is that the petitioner, who is aged about 20 years, had committed aggravated penetrative sexual assault on the minor victim Page2 of 5 girl. Hence, the case

¶3The learned counsel for the petitioners would submit that the petitioners are innocent and have been falsely implicated in this case. He would further submit that the petitioners have been in judicial custody since

28.05.2026 and is ready to abide by any conditions that may be imposed by this Court. Hence, he prayed for the grant of bail.

4.The learned Government Advocate (Crl.Side) appearing for the respondent, while opposing the grant of bail to the petitioner, reiterated the prosecution case and on instructions, submitted that the statement of the victim under section 183 of BNSS has been recorded.

¶5I have given anxious consideration to the submissions made by the learned counsel on either side.

¶6On perusing the statement recorded under Section 183 of the BNSS, the victim has stated that she was in love with the petitioner. Though there is a reference to a physical relationship, from the submissions of the learned counsel on both sides, this Court notes an adolescent relationship between them. In such view of the circumstances and also given the fact that the petitioner has been in incarceration since 28.05.2026, this Court is inclined to enlarge the petitioner on Page3 of 5 bail, subject to certain conditions.

¶7Accordingly, the petitioner is ordered to be released on bail on his executing a bond for a sum of Rs.25,000/- (Rupees Twenty-Five Thousand only), with two sureties for a like sum each to the satisfaction of the learned Sessions Court, Special Court for Exclusive of trial cases under POCSO Act, Tiruvannamalai, and subject to the following conditions: [a] the sureties shall affix their photographs and Left 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 respondent police daily at 10.30 a.m. 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 take appropriate action against the petitioner in accordance with law as if the conditions had been imposed and the petitioner released on bail by the learned Magistrate/Trial Court itself, as laid down by the Hon'ble Supreme Court in P.K.Shaji vs. State of Kerala [(2005)13 SCC 283]; Page4 of 5 [f] if the petitioner thereafter abscond, a fresh FIR may be registered under Section 269 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023. 27-07-2026 NSL 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 learned Sessions Court, Special Court for Exclusive of trial cases under POCSO Act, Tiruvannamalai.

¶2Central Prison, Vellore.

¶3The Inspector of Police, AWPS-ARNI, Tiruvannamalai District.

¶4The Public Prosecutor, High Court of Madras. CRLoOPoNo.o20056oofo2026 C.KUMARAPPAN,oJ. NSL CRLoOPoNo.o20056oofo2026 27-07-2026 Page5oofo5

Page1 of 5 IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS DATED: 27-07-2026 CORAM THE HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE C.KUMARAPPAN Saranraj ..Petitioner Vs State Rep. by Inspector of Police, AWPS-ARNI, Tiruvannamalai District. Crime No.21 of 2026 ..Respondent PRAYER : Criminal Original Petition filed under Section 483 of Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, to enlarge the Petitioner/Accused on bail in Crime No.21 of 2026 pending on the file of the respondent police. For Petitioner: Mr.M.S.Sriram For Respondent: Mr.S.Yogaraja Sekar Counsel for Government of Tamilnadu (Criminal Side)