P. Manikandan v. The State Rep By, The Inspector Of Police

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED: 08-06-2026

CORAM

THE HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE C.KUMARAPPAN P. Manikandan ..Petitioner Vs The Inspector of Police, Marakkanam Police Station, Villupuram District.

(Crime No. 150 of 2026) ..Respondent Prayer: Criminal Original Petition filed under section 483 of BNSS to enlarge the Petitioner/Accused on bail in Crime Number 150 of 2026 on the file of the Respondent -P.S.

For Petitioner:

M/S. M.Arumugam For Respondent:

Mr.S.Yogaraja Sekar, Counsel for Government of Tamil Nadu (Criminal Side)

ORDER

The petitioner, who was arrested and remanded to judicial custody on 01.05.2026 for the alleged offence under Section Sections-11(iv), 12 of POCSO Act, 2012 in Crime No.150 of 2026 on the file of the respondent police, seeks

bail.

2. The case of the prosecution is that the petitioner has uploaded the photo taken together with the victim in social platform. Hence, the case.

3. The learned counsel appearing for the petitioner submitted that the petitioner has been falsely implicated in the present case and that he has not committed any offence as alleged by the prosecution. He further submitted that the petitioner is ready to abide by any stringent conditions that may be imposed by this Court. Hence, he prays for grant of bail to the Petitioner.

4. Per contra, the learned Government Advocate (Criminal Side) appearing for the Respondent Police reiterated the prosecution case and submitted that the age of the petitioner is 21 years and the age of the victim girl is 17 years. He fairly conceded that there are no bad antecedents against the petitioner.

5. I have given my anxious consideration to either side submissions and perused the materials available on record.

6. Considering the facts and circumstances of the case; taking note of the submission made by the learned Government Advocate (Crl.Side); though this

is a case of sexual harassment, the petitioner was remanded in judicial custody since 01.05.2026. From the perusal of the 183 statement recorded under BNSS, it is seen that initially there was a friendly relationship between the petitioner and the de facto complainant. Therefore, this Court could able to visualise an adolescent relationship between them and in such relationship, according to the prosecution, the petitioner has posted certain photographs in Instagram and only based on that, this present complaint came to be registered. Hence, considering the long incarceration and the age of the petitioner, this Court is inclined to grant bail to the petitioner, 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 each, for a like sum to the satisfaction of the learned Sessions Judge, Special Court for POCSO Act, Villupuram, Villupuram District, and on further conditions that:

[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 shall stay at Madurai and report before the Inspector of Police, Karimedu Police Station, Madurai at 10.30 a.m for a period of two weeks and

thereafter report before the respondent police daily at 10.30 a.m., until further orders;

[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 pass appropriate orders against the petitioner in accordance with law as if the aforementioned conditions have been imposed and the petitioner released on bail by the learned Magistrate/Trial Court himself as laid down by the Hon'ble Supreme Court in P.K.Shaji vs. State of Kerala [(2005)13 SCC 283];

[f] If the accused thereafter absconds, a fresh FIR can be registered under Section 269 of B.N.S.

08-06-2026 SHL 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 for POCSO Act, Villupuram, Villupuram District.

2. The Inspector of Police, Marakkanam Police Station, Villupuram District.

3.The Central Prison, Villupuram

4. The Public Prosecutor High Court of Madras

C.KUMARAPPAN J.

SHL 08-06-2026