Karthikeyan v. The State Rep By

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED : 07.01.2022

CORAM

THE HONOURABLE MRS. JUSTICE T.V.THAMILSELVI Crl.O.P.No.25801 of 2021 Karthikeyan ... Petitioner Vs.

State Rep. By ... Respondent The Inspector of Police, Sirupakkam Police Station, Cuddalore District.

[CrimeNo.425 of 2021] Prayer: Criminal Original petition has been filed under Section 438 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, to enlarge the petitioner on bail in the event of his arrest in Crime No. 425/2021 on the file of the respondent police.

For Petitioner : Mr. K.Sudhakar For Respondent : Mr.A.Gokulakrishnan Additional Public Prosecutor

ORDER

(The case has been heard through video conference) The petitioner, who apprehends arrest at the hands of the respondent police for the offence punishable under Sections 11 & 12 of POCSO Act in Crime No.425 of 2021, on the file of the respondent police, seeks anticipatory bail.

2. The case of the prosecution is that the defacto complainant's daughter and the petitioner became friends through Face book. Thereafter the petitioner misbehaved with defacto complainant's daughter by exchanging SMS and other things through Social media. Hence the complaint.

3.The learned counsel appearing for the petitioner submitted that the petitioner has not committed any offence as alleged by the prosecution and he is an innocent and he has been falsely implicated in

this case. Hence, he prays for grant of anticipatory bail to the petitioner.

4.The learned Additional Public Prosecutor submitted that the petitioner misbehaved with defacto complainant's daughter by exchanging SMS and other things through Social media. He further submitted that the investigation is almost completed. However, he vehemently opposed for grant of anticipatory bail to the petitioner.

5. Considering the facts and circumstances of the case and the investigation is almost completed, this Court is inclined to grant anticipatory bail to the petitioner with certain conditions. 6.Accordingly, the petitioner is ordered to be released on bail in the event of arrest or on his appearance, within a period of fifteen

(15) days after lifting of lockdown or the commencement of the Court's normal functioning whichever is earlier, before The learned Special Court for POCSO Cases, Cuddalore, on condition that the petitioner shall 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 respondent police or the police officer who intends to arrest or to the satisfaction of the learned Magistrate concerned and on further condition that:

(a) the petitioner and the sureties shall affix their photographs and left thumb impression in the surety bond and the Court concerned may obtain a copy of their Aadhar card or Bank pass Book to ensure their identity; (b) the petitioner shall report before the respondent police on every Tuesday at 05.30 p.m. until further orders and the petitioner shall not have any communication with the Defacto complainant's daughter and file a affidavit before the Court below at that time of executing sureties. (c) the petitioners shall not tamper with evidence or witness either during investigation or trial; (d) the petitioners shall not abscond either during investigation or trial;

(e) on breach of any of the aforesaid conditions, the learned Magistrate/ Trial Court is entitled to take appropriate action against the petitioners in accordance with law as if the conditions have been imposed and the petitioners 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]; and;

(f) if the accused thereafter absconds, a fresh FIR can be registered under Section 229-A IPC.

-sd/- 07/01/2022 This order, on being produced, be punctually observed and carried into execution by all concerned TRUE COPY Sub-Assistant Registrar (Statistics/C.S.) High Court, Madras - 600 104.

TO 1 THE SPECIAL COURT FOR POCSO CASES, CUDDALORE.

2 THE PUBLIC PROSECUTOR HIGH COURT, MADRAS.

3 THE INSPECTOR OF POLICE, SIRUPAKKAM POLICE STATION, CUDDALORE DISTRICT.

+1 CC to M/S.K.SUDHAKAR Advocate on payment of necessary charges SR.NO.396 CRL OP.25801/2021 Date :07/01/2022 TA-20/01/2022