2025:JHHC:36032 1 IN THE HIGH COURT OF JHARKHAND AT RANCHI Cr. Appeal (S.J.). No. 731 of 2025 …. Ankit Singh, aged about 22 years, son of Narendra Singh, resident of Naya Bazar, Chakulia, PO – Chakulia, PS – Chakulia, District – East Singhbum. … .. Appellant Versus 1. The State of Jharkhand. 2. Victim … .. Respondents ----- CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE SANJAY PRASAD ----- For the Appellant : Mr. Prem Shankar Dayal, Advocate : Mr. Suraj Singh, Advocate For the State : Mr. Rakesh Kr. Sinha, A.P.P. Order No. 04/01st December 2025 1. Learned counsel for the State submitted that the notice has been served upon the victim girl on 08.09.2025. However when the case is called out, none appeared for the informant. As such, the matter is being heard on merit. 2. This criminal appeal has been filed on behalf of the appellant for grant of regular bail in connection with Chakulia P.S. Case No. 11 of 2025 for the offences punishable under Sections 74, 75 (2), 76, 126 (2), 115(2) and 352 of the Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 along with Section 3(1) (r) of the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribes Act. 3. As per FIR, on 03.02.2025, the victim girl along with her friend had gone to see Puja Pandal at Model School and when she was returning to her house, suddenly, on her way, the appellant came from behind and pulled her hand and the said accused started molesting her by touching her body parts and sexually assaulted her when the informant – victim tried to save herself from his clutches, she received injuries near her left eye. Further it is alleged that the accused also abused her in the name of her caste. 2025:JHHC:36032 2 4. Learned counsel for the appellant submits that the allegation against the appellant as alleged in the FIR, are false and concocted. It is submitted that the appellant is innocent as he has not abused her in the name of her caste. It is further submitted that there is improvement in the victim girls’ statement recorded under Section 183 of the BNSS. It is further submitted that it may be a case of infatuation. 5. It is further submitted that the victim girl admitted during her statement recorded under Section 183 of the BNSS that they are friends for almost last two years and due to indecent act of the appellant, she had blocked his mobile number and when the appellant arrived at her, this incident has taken place. It is submitted that appellant is in custody since 26.06.2025, and he may be enlarged on bail. 6. On the other hand, learned A.P.P. has opposed the prayer of the appellant for bail and submitted that there is direct allegation for sexual harassment against the appellant for touching the parts of the body of the victim girl. 7. It is submitted that the victim girl during her statement recorded under Section 183 of the BNSS has stated that the appellant has outraged her modesty by touching her sensitive parts. 8. It is submitted that the witnesses mother, brother (name not being disclosed due to judgment of Hon’ble Supreme Court) and friends whose statements are recorded at paragraph nos. 12, 13 and 43 of the case diary have fully supported this case against the appellant for outraging her modesty and for abusing her and also assaulting her in the name of her caste. 9. Perused the FIR, Case Diary and considered the submissions of both sides. 2025:JHHC:36032 3 10. It appears from the FIR that the appellant is alleged to have outraged the modesty of the victim girl – informant on the eve of Saraswati Puja. 11. It appears that the victim girl during her statement recorded under Section 164 of the Cr.P.C. has admitted that the appellant and the victim girl are known to each other for two years and they were friends, however due to abuse hurled by the appellant, she blocked his mobile-number. Thereafter, she was assaulted by the appellant. 12. It appears that the appellant and the victim girl are at tender age and are known to each other for two years. 13. It appears that the appellant is in custody since 26.06.2025 i.e., for more than five months. 14. Considering the facts and circumstances of this case and also considering the custody of the appellant, the appellant namely, Ankit Singh is directed to be released on bail, on furnishing bail bonds of Rs.15,000/- with two sureties of the like amount each, to the satisfaction learned Additional Sessions Judge-I-Cum- Special Judge, (SC/ST Court) at Jamshedpur or his Successor Court in connection with Chakulia P.S. Case No. 11 of 2025 subject to the condition that the appellant one of the bailors must be own relative of the appellant. 15. Accordingly, this criminal appeal is allowed. (Sanjay Prasad, J.) Dated:- :01.12.2025 Aditi