Ravi Kumar v. The State Rep By The Inspector Of Police

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED: 15-04-2026

CORAM

THE HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE C.KUMARAPPAN Ravi Kumar ..Petitioner Vs The State Represented by, The Inspector of Police, All Women Police Station - Central, Coimbatore City, Coimbatore District.

Crime No.10 of 2026.

..Respondent PRAYER : Criminal Original Petition filed under Section 483 of Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, to enlarge the petitioner on bail in Crime No.10 of 2026, pending on the file of the Inspector of Police, All Women Police Station- Central, Coimbatore City, Coimbatore District. For Petitioner:

Mr.C.D.Sugumar For Respondent:

Mr.S.Vinoth Kumar, Government Advocate (Crl.Side)

ORDER

The petitioner, who was arrested and remanded to judicial custody on 05.03.2026 for the alleged offences under Sections 9(1) r/w 10 of the POCSO Act, 2012 and Section 127(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, in Crime No.10 of 2026 on the file of the respondent police, seeks bail.

2. The case of the prosecution is that the victim girl aged about 15 years, who was residing in a rented premises belonging to the petitioner went to the petitioner's house seeking assistance for ear pain. At that time, the petitioner allegedly misbehaved with the victim by holding her hand, pulling her, hugging her and kissing her and threatened her not to disclose the incident. Hence, the case was registered.

3. The learned counsel appearing for the petitioner submitted that the allegations are false and motivated due to tenancy dispute between the petitioner and the complainant. It is submitted that the petitioner is innocent and has been falsely implicated in this case. The learned counsel would further submit that the petitioner has been in custody since 05.03.2026 and there is no serious allegation except a vague statement. It is also submitted that the petitioner is ready to cooperate with the investigation and abide by any conditions that may be imposed by this Court. Hence, he prayed for grant of bail to the petitioner.

4. The learned Government Advocate (Crl.Side) appearing for the respondent submitted that the allegation against the petitioner is that he committed sexual assault on the victim girl aged about 16 years. It is further submitted that the 183 BNSS statement of the victim has been recorded.

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

6. Considering the submission of the learned counsel on either side, this Court is of the view that on perusal of the 183 BNSS statement, the allegation against the petitioner is that while assisting the victim during ear pain, he kissed her. Except the said allegation, there are no serious allegations and it is also seen that the incident was informed to the petitioner' s wife. Considering the totality of the circumstances, the nature of allegation, the custody of the petitioner since 05.03.2026 and the existence of tenancy dispute between the parties, this Court is inclined to enlarge the petitioner on bail, subject to certain conditions.

7. 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 for a like sum each to the satisfaction of the learned Principal Special Court for Exclusive Trial of Cases under POCSO Act, Coimbatore District, 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 is directed to stay at Trichy District and report before the Srirangam Police Station, Trichy daily at 10.30 a.m. for a period of two weeks and thereafter report before the respondent police as and when required for interrogation;

[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 petitioners in accordance with law as if the conditions had been imposed and the petitioners 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];

[f] if the petitioner thereafter abscond, a fresh FIR may be registered under Section 269 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023.

15-04-2026 NSL 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.

To

1. The learned Principal Special Court for Exclusive Trial of Cases under POCSO Act, Coimbatore District.

2. The Superintendent, Central Prison, Coimbatore District.

3. The Inspector of Police, All Women Police Station - Central, Coimbatore City, Coimbatore District.

4. The Public Prosecutor, High Court of Madras.

C.KUMARAPPAN, J.

NSL 15-04-2026