Ravi .A v. State Rep.By, The Inspector Of Police,

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED: 21-04-2026

CORAM

THE HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE C.KUMARAPPAN Ravi ..Petitioner Vs State Rep.by, The Inspector of Police, All Women Police Station, Gummidipoondi Taluk, Thiruvallur District.

Crime No.5 of 2026.

..Respondent PRAYER : Criminal Original Petition filed under Section 482 of Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, to enlarge the petitioner on bail in the event of his arrest by the respondent police in connection with the case in Crime No. 5 of 2026 pending investigation on the file of the Respondent Police. For Petitioner:

Mr.Krishnan Raja For Respondent:

Mr.P.Dhileepan Government Advocate (Crl.Side)

ORDER

The petitioner apprehends arrest for the alleged offence under Sections 11(i), 11(iv) and 12 of the POCSO Act, 2012 in Crime No.5 of 2026 on the file of the respondent police seeks anticipatory bail.

2. The case of the prosecution is that on 22.03.2026, a 16 years old victim girl who is studying 11th standard was sexually harassed by the petitioner by

way of uttering words and thereby caused sexual harassment to her. Hence the case was registered.

3. The learned counsel appearing for the petitioner submitted that the petitioner and the de facto complainant are neighbours and in order to wreck vengeance in furtherance of a land dispute, the de facto complainant has given this false complaint. He further submitted that the petitioner was innocent and that he has been falsely implicated in this case. He further submitted that he is ready to abide by any stringent condition that may be imposed by this Court and he is ready to co-operate for investigation. Hence, he prays to grant anticipatory bail to the petitioner.

4. The learned Government Advocate (Crl.Side) appearing for the respondent police reiterated the prosecution case and hence, he opposed to grant anticipatory bail to the petitioner.

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

6. Considering the facts and circumstances of the case and especially in the FIR, there are certain allegation against the petitioner in respect of his gesture and also using obscene words against the de facto complainant. Though

the above allegations are serious in nature, considering the age of the petitioner, this Court is of the firm view that custodial interrogation of the petitioner is not required. Hence, this Court is inclined to enlarge the petitioner on anticipatory bail subject to certain stringent conditions.

7. Accordingly, the petitioner is ordered to be released on bail in the event of arrest or on his appearance, within a period of fifteen (15) days from the date on which the order copy is made ready, before the learned District Munsif - Cum Judicial Magistrate, Gummudipoondi, on condition that the petitioner shall execute a bond for a sum of Rs.20,000/- (Rupees Twenty Thousand only), with two sureties each, for a like sum to the satisfaction of the learned Magistrate concerned, and on further conditions: (a) If the petitioner fails to surrender before the concerned learned Magistrate within a period of fifteen (15) days from the date of receipt of a copy of this order, this order shall stand automatically cancelled;

(b) 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 identify proofs to ensure their identity;

(c) The petitioner shall stay at Coimbatore and report before the Inspector of Police, Peelamedu Police Station,

Coimabtore everyday at 10.30 a.m., for a period of two weeks and thereafter, as and when required for interrogation;

(d) On breach of any of the aforesaid conditions, the learned Magistrate/Trial Court is entitled to take appropriate actions against the petitioner in accordance with law as if the conditions have been imposed and the petitioner released on anticipatory bail by the learned Magistrate/Trial Court himself as laid down by the Hon'ble Supreme Court in P.K.Shaji v. State of Kerala [(2005) AIR SCW 5560];

(e) If the petitioner thereafter absconds, a fresh FIR can be registered under Section 269 of BNS Act.

21-04-2026 SHL To

1. The Inspector of Police, All Women Police Station, Gummidipoondi Taluk, Thiruvallur District.

2. The Inspector of Police, Peelamedu Police Station, Coimbatore

3. The Public Prosecutor High Court of Madras.

4. The District Munsif Cum Judicial Magistrate, Gummudipoondi.

C.KUMARAPPAN, J.

SHL 21-04-2026