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

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED: 15-06-2026

CORAM

THE HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE C.KUMARAPPAN Praveenkumar S/o. Kumar, Chinthalpadi, Papireddipatti Taluk, Dharmapuri - 635 302.

..Petitioner(s) Vs The State represented by:

The Inspector of Police, Harur AWPS, Dharmapuri.

[Crime No. 9/26] ..Respondent(s) PRAYER: Criminal Original Petition filed under Section 482 of Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, to enlarge the Petitioner on anticipatory bail in the event of arrest pending investigation in connection with Crime No. 9 of 2026 on the file of the Respondent Police.

For Petitioner(s):

Mr.K.Nagarajan For Respondent(s):

Mr.N.Palanivel, Govt Advocate (Crl Side).

ORDER

The petitioner, who apprehends arrest for the alleged offences under Section 366 of IPC, Section 9 of the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act and Sections 5(l) and 6(l) of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act. in Crime No.9 of 2026, on the file of the respondent police seeks anticipatory bail.

2. The case of the prosecution is that the victim girl was a minor during the time of occurrence and she was allegedly taken by the petitioner to his house on 29.01.2024. It is further alleged that the petitioner, aged 30 years, married the minor victim girl, aged 16 years, on 07.02.2024 and had committed aggravated penetrative sexual assault and also physical harassment on the victim girl. Hence the case.

3. The learned counsel for the petitioner submitted that the petitioner is an innocent and he has nothing to do with the commission of offence as alleged by the prosecution. The learned counsel would further submit that both the petitioner and the victim girl loved each other and the marriage was solemnised only with the consent of the mother of the victim girl and there was no any force, coercion or any inducement. He would further submit that the petitioner has been falsely implicated in this case and he is ready and willing to abide by any condition that may be imposed by this Court. Hence, he prays to grant anticipatory bail to the petitioner.

4. At this juncture, the learned Government Advocate (Crl.Side) appearing for the respondent police has submitted the statement of the minor victim girl recorded under Section 183 of B.N.S.S., and would submit that there are serious allegations against the petitioner and hence strongly objected to grant anticipatory bail to the petitioner.

5. Heard the submissions made by the learned counsel on either side and perused the materials available on record.

6. Considering the seriousness of the allegations against the petitioner and the age of the petitioner, this Court is of the firm view that it is not desirable to enlarge the petitioner on anticipatory bail.

7. Accordingly, this Criminal Original Petition is dismissed. 15-06-2026 MJS 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 Sessions Judge, Special Court of exclusive trial of cases under POCSO Act, Dharmapuri.

2. The Inspector of Police, Harur AWPS, Dharmapuri.

3. The Public Prosecutor, High Court of Madras.

C.KUMARAPPAN, J.

MJS 15-06-2026