T.Utthirakumaran v. State Rep By The Inspector Of Police

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED : 03.03.2025

CORAM

THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE SUNDER MOHAN T.Utthirakumaran ... Petitioner Vs.

State Rep. by The Inspector of Police Vridhachalam AWPS Cuddalore District.

(Crime No.41 of 2024) ... Respondent PRAYER: Criminal Original Petition filed under Section 483 of BNSS, to enlarge the petitioner on bail in Crime No.41 of 2024 on the file of the respondent.

For Petitioner : Mr.M.D.Ilayaraja For Respondent : Mr.Leonard Arul Joseph Selvam Learned Government Advocate (Criminal Side)

O R D E R

This Criminal Original Petition has been filed by the petitioner, who was arrested and remanded to judicial custody on 09.10.2024, seeking bail in Crime No.41 of 2024 registered for the offence under Section 96, 127(2) of BNS (Section 366(A), 348 of IPC) r/w.5(1) & 6 of POCSO Act. 2.The case of the prosecution is that the petitioner and the victim girl were neighbours and that the petitioner had taken the victim girl for a movie and thereafter, had touched the victim's breast inappropriately and thereafter, had placed his private part on the private part of the victim girl. 1/5

3.Learned counsel appearing for the petitioner submitted that the petitioner is an innocent person and he has been falsely implicated in this case. He also submitted that the petitioner is ready to abide by any stringent conditions that may be imposed by this Court. Hence, he prayed for grant of bail to the petitioner.

4.Learned Government Advocate (Crl.Side) appearing for the respondent police, while opposing for grant of bail to the petitioner, reiterated the prosecution case. The learned Government Advocate produced the copy of statement of the victim girl recorded u/s.183(3) of BNSS, and also submitted that the final report has been filed before the trial Court. 5.Heard the learned counsel appearing for the petitioner and the learned Government Advocate (Crl. Side) for the respondent Police and perused the materials available on record, including the statement recorded u/s.183(3) of BNSS of the victim girl.

6.Considering the nature of allegations, period of incarceration undergone by the petitioner, the fact that the final report has been filed before the trial Court, and since further custody is not required for the purpose of interrogation, this Court is inclined to grant bail to the petitioner with certain conditions.

7. Accordingly, the petitioner is ordered to be released on bail on his 2/5

executing a bond for a sum of Rs.15,000/- (Rupees Fifteen Thousand only) with two sureties, each for a like sum to the satisfaction of the Special Court for exclusive trial of cases under POCSO Act, Cuddalore, 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 stay at Trichy and report before the Inspector of Police, Cantonment Police Station, everyday 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 evidence or witness either during investigation or trial;

[e] 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]; [f] If the accused thereafter absconds, a fresh FIR can be registered under Section 269 of B.N.S.

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SUNDER MOHAN, J.

sai To 1.The Special Court for exclusive trial of cases under POCSO Act, Cuddalore.

2.The Inspector of Police Vridhachalam AWPS Cuddalore District.

3.The Inspector of Police, Cantonment Police Station Trichy.

4.The Superintendent, Central Prison, Cuddalore.

5.The Public Prosecutor, High Court of Madras.

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