1 CGHC010250842026 2026:CGHC:42123 NAFR HIGH COURT OF CHHATTISGARH AT BILASPUR MCRC No. 5994 of 2026 • Tikeshwar Sahu S/o Shri Motilal Sahu Aged About 22 Years R/o Village Anda Police Outpost Saket, Thana And Tahsil Pathariya, Distt- Mungeli (C.G.) ... Applicant versus • State Of Chhattisgarh Through Station House Officer, Outpost Maro Police Station Nandghat, Distt- Mungeli (C.G.) ... Non-Applicant For Applicant : Mr. Rajendra Patel, Advocate For State : Ms. Ritika Verma, Panel Lawyer Hon'ble Shri Justice Rakesh Mohan Pandey Order on Board 28.09 .2026 1. Victim appeared through video conferencing on 17.08.2026 and is given her consent in grant of bail to the applicant. 2. This is the first bail application filed under Section 483 of the Bhartiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 for grant of regular bail to the applicant who has been arrested in connection with Crime No. 95/2026 registered at Police Station Nandghat, District Bemetara (C.G.), for the offence punishable under Section 62(2)(m) of BNS and Sections 4 & 6 of POCSO Act. 3. Case of the prosecution, in brief, is that the victim, aged about 17 years and 6 months, was taken away by the present applicant on 25.10.2025. They stayed SIDDHANT TAMRAKAR Digitally signed by SIDDHANT TAMRAKAR Date: 2026.09.29 10:28:30 +0530 2 at various places, and subsequently, the victim was recovered from the company of the present applicant on 01.03.2026. An FIR was lodged on 16.04.2026, police registered aforesaid offence against present applicant and arrested him on 17.04.2026. 4. Mr. Rajendra Patel, Advocate appearing for the applicant would submit that victim has already examined and she has not supported the case of prosecution. He would submit that on the date of incident her age was more than 18 years and there was consensual relationship between them. He would further contend that charge-sheet has been filed, applicant is in jail since 17.04.2026. Thus, he would pray for grant of bail to the present applicant. 5. On the other hand, learned counsel for the State would oppose the bail application. She would submit that on the date of incident, victim was minor, aged about 17 years and 6 months, there are serious allegations against the present applicant with regard to sexual assault, and therefore, instant application deserves to be rejected. 6. I have heard learned counsel appearing for the parties and perused the case diary. 7. Having considered the facts and circumstances of the case, nature and gravity of allegation levelled against the present applicant and the fact that on the date of FIR, age of the victim was around 17 years and 11 months, she has already been examined and she has partially supported case of prosecution, charge-sheet has already been filed, applicant is in jail since 17.04.2026 and conclusion of trial may take some time, therefore, without making any observation on merits of the case, I am inclined to allow this application. 3 8. Accordingly, the regular bail application is allowed and it is directed that in the event of the applicant executing a personal bond for a sum of Rs.50,000/- with one surety in the like sum to the satisfaction of the concerned trial Court, he shall be released on bail on the following conditions:- (i) he shall not directly or indirectly make any inducement, threat or promise to any person acquainted with the facts of the case so as to dissuade him from disclosing such fact to the Court; (ii) he shall not act in any manner which will be prejudicial to fair and expeditious trial, & (iii) he shall appear before the trial Court on each and every date given to him by the said Court till disposal of the trial. Sd/- (Rakesh Mohan Pandey) JUDGE $iddhant