Antony Ragul v. The State Rep By

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED: 20-05-2026

CORAM

THE HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE R.SAKTHIVEL Antony Ragul S/o Raj, Manumichampatti, Madhukarai, Coimbatore ..Petitioner / Accused Vs The State Rep By The Inspector of Police, Chettipalayam Police Station, Coimbatore District Crime No.82 of 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.82 of 2026 on the file of respondent police For Petitioner(s):

Mr.K.A.M.Jagadish Kumar For Respondent(s):

Mr.L.Baskaran Government Advocate (Criminal Side)

ORDER

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 28.03.2026 for the alleged offences punishable under Sections 3(a) r/w 4(1) of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012 and Sections 87 and 127(2) of BNS, 2023 in Crime No.82 of 2026 on the file of the respondent police.

3. The case of the prosecution is that on 06.03.2026, the defacto complainant, who is the father of the victim boy aged about 15 years, lodged a complaint stating that on 27.02.2026 at about 4.20 p.m, while his son was returning from school, an unidentified person intercepted him on a two-wheeler under the pretext of asking for an address. It is alleged that the said unknown person showed obscene videos to the victim on a mobile phone and thereafter took him to a public bathroom, where he allegedly committed sexual assault on the victim. Hence the case.

4. Mr.K.A.M.Jagadishkumar, learned counsel for the petitioner, submits that the petitioner is innocent and has not committed any offence as alleged by the prosecution. He further submits that the petitioner is in judicial custody since 28.03.2026. 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 occurrence took place on 27.02.2026 and that the petitioner was arrested on 28.03.2026. He

further submitted that the petitioner and the victim belong to the same village. He further submits that the petitioner had allegedly abducted and committed penetrative assault on the victim boy, who was aged about 15 years at the relevant point of time, while the petitioner is aged about 30 years. He further submits that the investigation was completed and the charge sheet was filed through e-filing on 29.04.2026. Accordingly, he prays for the dismissal of this petition.

6. Heard on both sides. This Court has perused the records including the statement of the victim boy recorded under Section 183 of BNSS, 2023.

7. The learned Government Advocate (Crl.Side) submitted that the investigation has been completed and the charge sheet has also been filed and the same has been taken on file before the POCSO Court, Coimbatore. Considering the nature of the offence alleged and the period of incarceration, this Court is inclined to grant bail to the petitioner, however, subject to 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 learned Principal Special Judge for Exclusive Trial of Cases under POCSO Act,

Coimbatore.

(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 learned Principal Special Judge for Exclusive Trial of Cases under POCSO Act, Coimbatore shall obtain a copy of any one of their identity proofs to ensure their identity. (iii) The petitioner shall stay at Mettupalayam and sign before the Judicial Magistrate, Mettupalayam daily twice at 10.30 a.m and 5.30 p.m until further orders.

(iv) The petitioner shall not enter into the defacto complainant's house or his work place.

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

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

(vii) On breach of any of the aforementioned conditions, the learned Principal Special Judge for Exclusive Trial of Cases under POCSO Act, Coimbatore, 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 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 official website of this Court will be watermarked and will also have a QR code.

To 1.The Principal Special Judge for Exclusive Trial of Cases under POCSO Act, Coimbatore.

2. The Judicial Magistrate, Mettupalayam.

3.The Superintendent, Central Prison, Coimbatore.

4.The Inspector of Police, Chettipalayam Police Station, Coimbatore District.

5.The Public Prosecutor, High Court, Madras.

R.SAKTHIVEL, J.

DRL 20-05-2026