Manikanda Prabu v. The State Rep.By, The Inspector Of Police,
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
DATED: 10.02.2026 CORAM :
THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE K. RAJASEKAR Crl.O.P.No.3140 of 2026 Manikanda Prabu ... Petitioner -vsState Rep by, The Inspector of Police, A.W.P.S., Karumathampatty, Coimbatore District.
(Crime No.22 of 2025) ... Respondent Prayer:- Criminal Original Petition filed under Section 483 of BNSS, 2023, to enlarge the petitioner on bail in Crime No.22 of 2025 on the file of the respondent police.
For Petitioner :
Mr.J.Franklin For Respondent :
Mr.A.Gopinath Government Advocate (Crl. Side) *********
ORDER
The petitioner, who was arrested and remanded to judicial custody on 14.12.2025 for the alleged offences punishable under Sections 14(1), 15(1) of POCSO Act, 2012 and Section 67B(d) of IT Act, 2008 in Crime No.22 of 2025, registered on the file of the respondent police, seeks bail. 1/6
2. The allegation against this petitioner is that the petitioner has created a fake ID in the name of the victim girl who is aged about 17 years and also uploaded marked nude photographs of the victim girl and also referred as inappropriately in the Instagram ID. Her friends has immediately informed the same to the victim girl and she has also contacted other friend who has suffered the very same problem and thereafter, they had traced the voice message and they contacted the petitioner herein and he denied the same. Further they entered into the very same ID in the presence of the petitioner and they had given the steps to restore the password and OTP was sent to the phone number of the petitioner's wife and later he accepted that he has committed all these activities. Hence this case.
3. Earlier, this Court dismissed the bail petition in Crl.OP.No.737 of 2026 dated 09.01.2026 on the following reasons:
6. Considering the above submissions made on either side and the manner in which the petitioner has committed such offence and caused humiliation to the victim girl aged about 17 years and if the petitioner is released on bail, he may indulge in similar offence, this court is not inclined to grant bail to the petitioner.
7. Accordingly, this Criminal Original Petition is dismissed.
4. Now, the learned counsel for the petitioner submitted that the investigation is completed and the final report filed and that he is ready to co2/6
operate with the investigation. Hence, he prays to grant bail to the petitioner.
5. Though it is recorded that the offences are grave nature, it is submitted by the learned counsel for the petitioner that the investigation is completed and the final report filed and considering period of incarceration, this Court is inclined to grant bail to the petitioner with certain conditions.
6. Accordingly, 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 each, for a like sum to the satisfaction of the learned Principal Special Court for Exclusive Trial of Cases under POCSO Act, Coimbatore and on further conditions that:
[a] the sureties shall affix their photographs and Left Thumb Impression in the surety bond and the Magistrate may obtain a copy of their Aadhar card or Bank pass Book to ensure their identity;
[b] the petitioner shall report before the concerned Magistrate daily at 10.30 a.m., for a period of three weeks and thereafter as and when required for interrogation. [c] the petitioner shall not communicate with the victim girl and her family through any mode until disposal of the case.
[d] the petitioner shall not abscond either during 3/6
investigation or trial;
[e] the petitioner shall not tamper with the evidence or witness either during investigation or trial; [f] On breach of any of the aforesaid conditions, the learned Magistrate/Trial Court is entitled to take appropriate action against the petitioner in accordance with law as if the 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)AIR SCW 5560];
[g] If the accused thereafter absconds, a fresh FIR can be registered under Section 269 B.N.S.
10.02.2026 drl Note:
1. Registry is directed to forthwith upload this order in the Official Website of this Court.
2. All 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.
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To 1.The Principal Special Court for Exclusive Trial of Cases under POCSO Act, Coimbatore. 2.The Inspector of Police, A.W.P.S., Karumathampatty, Coimbatore District.
3.The Superintendent, Central Prison, Coimbatore.
4.The Public Prosecutor, High Court, Madras.
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K. RAJASEKAR, J.
drl Crl.O.P.No.3140 of 2026 10.02.2026 6/6