Suriyaprakash v. State Rep. By

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED: 10.02.2026 CORAM :

THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE K. RAJASEKAR Crl.O.P.No.3177 of 2026 Suriyaprakash ... Petitioner -vsState Rep by, The Inspector of Police, Chennimalai Police Station, Erode District.

(Crime No.372 of 2025) ... Respondent Prayer:- Criminal Original Petition filed under Section 483 of BNSS, 2023, to enlarge the petitioner on bail in Crime No.372 of 2025 on the file of the respondent police.

For Petitioner :

Mr.R.Nalliyappan For Respondent :

Mr.A.Gopinath Government Advocate (Crl. Side) *********

ORDER

The petitioner, who was arrested and remanded to judicial custody on 07.12.2025 for the alleged offences punishable under Sections 127(2), 351(2) of BNS and 3,4,7,8 of POCSO Act 2012 in Crime No.372 of 2025, registered on the file of the respondent police, seeks bail. 1/4

2. The allegation against the petitioner is that he is a stepfather of the victim and took advantage of her loneliness committed aggravated penetrative sexual assault. Subsequently, it was intimated to the family members and the mother, who had sent the petitioner to leave the home. However, after sometime he convinced the family members and rejoined them and committed a similar offence. Unable to bear the same, the victim girl informed to the neighbour. Hence, a case has been registered and the petitioner was arrested.

3. The learned counsel for the petitioner submitted that the petitioner is in judicial custody since 07.12.2025 and that he is ready to co-operate with the investigation that the allegation made is false. Hence, he prays to grant bail to the petitioner.

4. The learned Government Advocate (Crl.Side) appearing for the respondent reiterated the prosecution case and submitted that it is a case of aggravated penetrative sexual assault on the victim girl, aged 16 years and she has also given a categorical statement about the occurrence. The copy of the statement recorded under Section 183 of BNS is also produced and opposed to grant bail to the petitioner.

5. This Court, on perusal of the statement of the victim girl and other connected materials, finds that the victim has narrated the entire incident including the manner in which she was harassed and how the aggravated 2/4

penetrative sexual assault was committed.

6. Considering the above fact, that if the petitioner is released on bail, he will indulge in similar offence and tamper the investigation process. Therefore, this Court is not inclined to grant bail to the petitioner.

7. Accordingly, this Criminal Original Petition stands dismissed. 10.02.2026 drl To 1.The Inspector of Police, Singanallur Police Station, Coimbatore District.

2.The Public Prosecutor, High Court, Madras.

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K. RAJASEKAR, J.

drl Crl.O.P.No.3177 of 2026 10.02.2026 4/4