Bhaskar Chandra Mahato v. State Of West Bengal And ANR
22.06.2026 Serial no. 34 [G.S.D] CRA (SB) 84 of 2026 With CRAN 1 of 2026 In re : An appeal under Section 14A(2) of the Scheduled Castes and the Schedules Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989. -AndIn the matter of : Bhaskar Chandra Mahato ... Appellant(s) Mr. Sekhar Kr. Basu, Sr Adv.
Mr. Sourav Chatterjee, Sr Adv.
Mr. Sougata Mitra Ms. Soma Chakraborty Mr. Nikhil Kr. Gupta Mr. Subhadeep Maitra ... for the Appellant(s) Mr. Gouranga Kr. Das, ld. APP Mr. Amal Kumar Datta ... for the State-respondent(s) Mr. Soumik Ghosh Mr. Pradip Saren Ms. Saheli Hembrom ... for the defacto-complainant The appellant/petitioner was arrested on 6th October, 2025 and since then he is in custody. The investigating agency has already submitted charge-sheet before the learned Special Court and charges have already been framed against the accused. According to the learned Senior Advocate, the prosecution in order to prove its case has relied upon 31 witnesses. As such, he prays for bail of the present appellant/petitioner on any stringent condition. Learned advocate for the defacto-complainant/victim is present before this court and submits that the present
appellant/petitioner is the Headmaster of a school, who has substantial influence and clout in the locality. Additionally, it has been submitted that the accused was purposely and intentionally staying at the local hostel thereby threatening the girl students and pursuing his misdeeds. According to the learned Advocate, the present appellant/petitioner fled away after the FIR was registered and was arrested after 21 days.
Mr. Gouranga Kumar Das, learned APP, is directed to appear on behalf of the State. He is entitled to have a junior of his Choice. The appointment of both Mr. Gouranga Kumar Das and the junior of choice, if any, be regularized by the concerned authority. Learned advocate for the State has submitted a report as also the case diary.
I have taken into account the period of detention of the present appellant/petitioner. Although, the prosecution's case is made out on the foundation of complaint made by large number of the girl students depicting that they were being touched inappropriately by the headmaster for a considerable period of time particularly the hostel boarders, I am of the view that the 31 witnesses on whom the prosecution has relied upon will take some time to be examined.
Having considered the same, I am of the view that the appellant/petitioner may be released on bail.
Hence, the prayer for bail of the appellant/petitioner is Allowed.
Accordingly, the appellant/petitioner viz, Bhaskar Chandra Mahato shall be released on bail upon furnishing bond of Rs.20,000/-(Rupees Twenty Thousand only), with two sureties of Rs.10,000/- (Rupees Ten Thousand only) each, one of whom must be local, to the satisfaction of the Learned Additional District Judge, 2nd Court (Special Court under POCSO Act), Purulia.
If on bail, the appellant/petitioner shall also make himself physically available on each and every date so fixed by the learned Special Court/trial court and shall not enter into the jurisdiction of Boro Police Station, Purulia till further orders of this Court.
Accordingly, CRA (SB) 84 of 2026 is allowed.
Report submitted be kept with the record.
Parties to act on a server copy of this order duly collected from the official website of the Hon'ble High Court, Calcutta.
Urgent Photostat certified copy of this order, if applied for, be supplied to the parties subject to compliance with all requisite formalities.
(Tirthankar Ghosh, J.)