Murali v. State Rep By

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

Dated : 28.08.2024

CORAM

THE HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE P.DHANABAL CRL OP.No.20718 of 2024 Murali, S/o.Ramar ... Petitioner Vs State rep. by:- The Inspector of Police, Marandahalli Police Station, Dharmapuri District.

... Respondent [Cr.No.143 of 2024] PETITION FOR BAIL Under Sec.483 of B.N.S.S.

PRAYER: - The Criminal Original Petition is filed under Section 483 of The Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, praying to grant bail to the petitioner/Accused in Crime No.143 of 2024 on the file of the respondent police.

For Petitioner : Mr.J.Pradeep For Respondent : Mr. S.Vinoth Kumar Government Advocate (Crl.Side) 1/6

ORDER

The petitioner, who was arrested and remanded to judicial custody on 10.07.2024 for the offences under Sections 5(m), 6(1) of POCSO Act @ 7, 8 of POCSO Act in Crime No.143 of 2024 on the file of the respondent police, seeks bail.

2. The case of the prosecution is that the victim girl was aged about 7 years and she is studying 2 standard in the private school at Palacode. This petitioner is the conductor of school bus, in which the victim girl was travelling to school. When the victim girl was returning from school, this petitioner unnecessarily touched the victim girl and trying to abuse her sexually. Hence, the complaint.

3. The learned counsel for the petitioner would contend that there is no previous case as against this petitioner. This petitioner is an innocent person and he has nothing to do with the commission of alleged offences and he is ready to abide by any condition imposed by this Court. Hence, he seeks bail to the petitioner.

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4. The learned Government Advocate (Criminal Side) would submit that the victim girl was aged about 7 years and she is studying 2 standard in the private school at Palacode. This petitioner is the conductor of school bus, in which the victim girl was travelling to school. When the victim girl was returning from school, this petitioner unnecessarily touched the victim girl and trying to abuse her sexually. The petitioner was arrested and remanded to judicial custody on 10.07.2024. In this case 164Cr.P.C. statement was recorded from the victim girl. However, he objected to grant bail to the petitioner.

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

6. Considering the rival submissions on either side and considering the fact that in this case 164 Cr.P.C. statement was recorded from the victim girl and there is no previous case as against the petitioner and also considering the period of incarceration underwent by the petitioner, this Court is inclined to grant bail to the petitioner, subject to the following conditions:

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[a] Accordingly, the petitioner is ordered to be released on bail on condition to execute 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 Sessions Judge, Special Court for Exclusive Trial of Cases under POCSO Act, Dharmapuri and on further conditions that: [b] the petitioner shall report before the learned Sessions Judge, Special Court for Exclusive Trial of Cases under POCSO Act, Dharmapuri on every working day at 10.30 A.M. until further orders; [c] the petitioner shall attend in accordance with the conditions of the bond;

[d] the petitioner shall not commit any offence similar to the offence of which he is accused; or suspected, or of the commission of which he is suspected; and [e] the petitioner shall not directly or indirectly make any inducement, threat or promise to any person acquainted with the facts of the case so as to dissaude him from disclosing such facts to the Court or to any police officer or tamper with the evidence;

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[f] the petitioner shall not abscond either during investigation or trial; [g] On breach of any of the aforesaid conditions, the learned Judicial Magistrate/Trial Court is entitled to take appropriate action against the petitioner in accordance with law as if the 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)AIR SCW 5560].

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

28.08.2024 index: Yes/No Internet: Yes/No Speaking/Non Speaking order gvn 5/6

P.DHANABAL ,J gvn To 1.The Sessions Judge, Special Court for Exclusive Trial of Cases under POCSO Act, Dharmapuri 2.The Inspector of Police, Marandahalli Police Station, Dharmapuri District.

3. Central Prison, Salem.

4.The Public Prosecutor, High Court, Madras.

CRL.OP.No.20718 of 2024 28.08.2024 6/6