V.Ragul v. The State Rep. By Its Inspector Of Police,

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED : 21.07.2025

CORAM

THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE M.NIRMAL KUMAR V.Ragul ... Petitioner/Accused Vs.

State by its The Inspector of Police, Sholinghur Police Station, Sholinghur, Ranipet District.

(Crime No.225 of 2025) ... Respondent PRAYER : Criminal Original Petition filed under Section 483 of Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, to enlarge the Petitioner on bail pending investigation in Crime No.225 of 2025 on the file of the Respondent police. For Petitioner :

Mr.K.G.Senthil Kumar For Respondent :

Mr.R.Vinothraja Government Advocate (Crl.Side)

O R D E R

The petitioner, who was arrested and remanded to judicial custody on 21.06.2025, for the offences punishable under Sections 78 of BNS, 2023 (Section 1/6

354-D of IPC) r/w Sections 11, 12 of POCSO Act and Section 4 of TNPWH Act in connection with Crime No.225 of 2025, registered on the file of the respondent, seeks bail.

2. The case of the prosecution is that the de-facto complainant's minor daughter has been harassed by the petitioner for the past 6 months. The de-facto complainant warned the petitioner, thereafter too, the petitioner continued the same by giving a cell phone to her minor daughter and contacted her frequently, which caused mental agony to the victim. Hence, the case. 3.The learned counsel for the petitioner submitted that the petitioner is an innocent person and he has not committed any offence as alleged by the prosecution. He further submitted that the petitioner and the victim were living in the same village and they were in love with each other, which was opposed by the victim's parents. This has been now projected as though the petitioner harassed the victim girl. Hence, he prayed to grant bail to the petitioner. 4.The learned Government Advocate (Criminal Side) appearing for the respondent police submitted that it is a case of love affair. He further submitted 2/6

that statement under Section 164 Cr.P.C. of the victim is yet to be recorded.

5. Heard both sides and perused the materials available on record.

6. Considering the submissions made on either side, it is seen that the petitioner and the victim girl were in love with each other, which was opposed by the victim's parents. The petitioner is a college going student, further, the statement of the victim is yet to be recorded. In view of the same, this Court is inclined to grant bail to the petitioner with certain conditions.

7. Accordingly, the petitioner is ordered to be released on bail on his executing a bond for a sum of Rs.10,000/- (Rupees Ten Thousand only) with two sureties, each for a like sum to the satisfaction of the learned Principal District and Sessions Judge, Ranipet, Ranipet 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; 3/6

[b] the petitioner shall report before the respondent Police everyday at 10.30 a.m. for a period of three weeks and thereafter as and when required for interrogation;

[c] the petitioner shall make himself available for interrogation by a Police Officer as and when required; [d] the petitioner shall not directly or indirectly cause any threat to the de-facto complainant and witnesses; [e] the petitioner to give an undertaking that if required for being identified by witnesses during investigation or for police custody beyond the first fifteen days, he shall comply to the directions as may be given by the Court in this regard;

[f] 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]; 4/6

[g] If the accused thereafter absconds, a fresh FIR can be registered under Section 269 of B.N.S. 21.07.2025 rsi 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 Principal District and Sessions Judge, Ranipet, Ranipet District.

2.The Inspector of Police, Sholinghur Police Station, Sholinghur, Ranipet District.

3.The Superintendent, Central Prison, Vellore.

4.The Public Prosecutor, High Court of Madras.

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M.NIRMAL KUMAR, J.

rsi 21.07.2025 6/6