Munishwaran @ Muneeshwaran v. State Rep.By, The Inspector Of Police,

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED : 29.06.2026

CORAM

THE HONOURABLE Mr. JUSTICE C.KUMARAPPAN Munishwaran @ Muneeshwaran ... Petitioner(s) Vs.

The State rep. by the Inspector of Police, All Women Police Station, Kallakurichi District.

... Respondent(s) Crime No.18 of 2026 PRAYER : Criminal Original Petition filed under Section 483 of BNSS, 2023, to enlarge the petitioner on bail in Crime No.18 of 2026 pending investigation on the file of the respondent police.

For Petitioner(s) : Mr.S.Kalaikumar For Respondent(s) : Mr.S.Yogaraj Sekar, Government Advocate (Crl.Side)

ORDER

The petitioner, who was arrested and remanded to judicial custody on 18.05.2026 for the alleged offences under Sections 7 and 8 of the POCSO Act r/w Sections 87 and 332(c) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 and Sections 9 and 10 of the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006 in Crime No.18 of 2026 on the file of the respondent police, seeks bail. 1/4

2. It is the case of the prosecution that the petitioner had allegedly married the victim girl, aged 16 years, without her consent. Hence, the case.

3. The learned counsel for the petitioner would submit that the allegations levelled against the petitioner are false and that the petitioner has been in custody since 18.05.2026. He would further submit that, in any event, his further custody is not required for the purpose of investigation. Hence, he prayed for the grant of bail.

4. The learned Government Advocate (Crl. Side) appearing for the respondent police, while opposing the grant of bail, reiterated the prosecution case and, on instructions, submitted that the investigation is still pending. He has also furnished a copy of the statement of the victim girl recorded under Section 183 of the BNSS.

5. Considering the seriousness of the allegations levelled against the petitioner, the submission of the learned Government Advocate (Crl. Side) that the investigation is still pending, and having regard to the nature of the offences alleged, this Court is of the view that it would not be appropriate to grant bail to the petitioner at this stage.

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6. Accordingly, the Criminal Original Petition is dismissed. 29.06.2026 skr To

1. The learned Principal District & Sessions Judge, Kallakurichi

2. The Superintendent, District Jail, Vedampattu, Villupuram

3. The Inspector of Police, All Women Police Station, Kallakurichi District.

4. The Public Prosecutor, High Court of Madras 3/4

C.KUMARAPPAN,J.

skr 29.06.2026 4/4