Ravichandran v. The State Rep By, The Inspector Of Police

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED: 20-05-2026

CORAM

THE HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE R.SAKTHIVEL CRL OP NO. 13049 OF 2026 Ravichandran S/o.Ramasamy No.474, DRN1, Durairaj Nagar Extension, Vengikkal Village, Tiruvannamalai District.

..Petitioner / Sole Accused Vs The State rep by, The Inspector of Police All Women Police Station, Tiruvannamalai.

(Crime No.18/2026) ..Respondent/ Complainant PRAYER:- Criminal Original Petition filed under Section 483 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023 praying to enlarge the petitioner on bail in Crime No.18/2026 pending on the file of the respondent and thus render Justice For Petitioner :

Mr.B.Jawahar For Respondent :

Mr.L.Baskaran Government Advocate (Criminal Side)

O R D E R

This Criminal Original Petition has been filed by the petitioner on 12.05.2026 under Section 483 of Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023 praying to grant bail.

2. The petitioner / accused was arrested and remanded to judicial custody on 12.03.2026 for the alleged offences punishable under Sections 74, 75(1)(i), 75(1)(ii), 75(2), 76, 351(2) of BNS and Section 3(c) r/w 4(1), 5(l), 5(n) r/w 6(1), 7 r/w 8, 11(ii) r/w 12 of POCSO Act, 2012 in Crime No.18 of 2026 on the file of the respondent police.

3. The case of the prosecution is that the petitioner sexually abused the victim girl and committed penetrative sexual assault by taking advantage of his position as step father. He also threatened the victim, that if she does not cooperate, he will endanger the life of the victim girl and her mother. Hence this case.

4. The learned counsel for the petitioner, submits that the petitioner is an innocent person and he has not committed any offence as alleged by

the prosecution. He further submits that the petitioner has been in judicial custody since 12.03.2026. He further submits that the petitioner is ready to abide by any stringent conditions that may be imposed by this Court. He therefore prays to grant bail to the petitioner.

5. Per contra, Mr.L.Baskaran, learned Government Advocate (Criminal Side) appearing for the respondent police, submits that the investigation is completed and charge sheet is also filed. The learned Government Advocate (Criminal Side) contends that if the petitioner is released on bail, there is a chance to once again commit sexual assault on the victim girl and pose a threat to both, the defacto complainant and the victim girl. Accordingly, he prays for the dismissal of this petition.

6. Heard on both sides. This Court has perused the records.

7. The petitioner was arrested on 12.03.2026 and he is in incarceration since 12.03.2026. This Court has perused the statement of the victim girl recorded under Section 183(5) of BNSS Act. Considering the facts and circumstances of the case and the period of incarceration, this

Court is inclined to grant bail to the petitioner, however, subject to certain conditions. Accordingly, bail is granted to the petitioner subject to the following conditions:

(i) The petitioner shall execute a bond for Rs.25,000/- (Rupees Twenty Five Thousand only) along with two sureties each for a like sum of Rs.25,000/- (Rupees Twenty Five Thousand Only) to the satisfaction of the Special Court for Exclusive Trial of Cases under POCSO Act, Tiruvannamalai.

(ii) The sureties shall affix their photographs and left thumb impression in the Application for Suretyship [Judicial Form No.46 annexed to 'The Criminal Rules of Practice, 2019]. The Special Court for Exclusive Trial of Cases under POCSO Act, Tiruvannamalai, shall obtain a copy of any one of identity proofs to ensure their identity. (iii) The petitioner shall stay at Salem Town and shall appear and sign before the learned Judicial Magistrate Court No.I, Salem daily twice at 10.30 a.m, and 05.30 p.m, until further orders. (iv) The petitioner shall not enter into the defacto complainant's house or her work place.

(v) The petitioner shall furnish his residence address and mobile number to the Special Court for Exclusive Trial of Cases under POCSO Act, Tiruvannamalai.

(vi) The petitioner shall not, directly or indirectly, cause any threat to the victim, defacto complainant and witnesses and shall not tamper the evidence.

(vii) On breach of any of the aforementioned conditions, the Special Court for Exclusive Trial of Cases under POCSO Act, Tiruvannamalai is entitled to pass appropriate orders against the petitioner in accordance with law as if the aforementioned conditions are imposed by them as laid down by the Hon'ble Supreme Court in P.K. Shaji vs. State of Kerala [(2005) 13 SCC 283].

8. Accordingly, this Criminal Original Petition is allowed subject to the conditions stated supra.

20-05-2026 RNA

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 Special Court for Exclusive Trial of Cases under POCSO Act, Tiruvannamalai.

2. The Inspector of Police All Women Police Station, Tiruvannamalai.

3. The Superintendent of Prison, Central Prison, Vellore.

4. The Public Prosecutor, High Court, Madras.

R.SAKTHIVEL, J.

RNA CRL OP NO.13049 OF 2026 20.05.2026