CRL OP No. 18437 of 2026 __________ Page1 of 4 IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS DATED: 15-07-2026 CORAM THE HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE C.KUMARAPPAN CRL OP No. 18437 of 2026 Karthik ..Petitioner(s) Vs State by Inspector of Police, AWPS-Ranipet Police Station, Ranipet District, Crime No.39 of 2026 ..Respondent(s) Prayer:- Criminal Original Petition is filed under Section 483 of BNSS, 2023, pleased to enlarge the Petitioner on bail pending on the file of the Respondent in Crime No.39 of 2026. For Petitioner(s): Mr.D.Thirumoorthy For Respondent(s): Mr.S.Yogaraja Sekar Government Advocate (Criminal side) ORDER The petitioner, who was arrested and remanded to judicial custody on 21.05.2026 for the alleged offences under Sections 87 of BNS 2023, Section 7 r/w 8 of Protection of Child from Sexual Offences Act, (POCSO), 2012, in Crime No.39 of 2026 on the file of the respondent police, seeks bail. 2. The case of the prosecution is that the petitioner is approximately twenty-three years old and the victim is approximately fourteen years old. It is alleged that the petitioner with an intention to commit sexual assault on the victim kissed her on the lips. Hence the case. https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis CRL OP No. 18437 of 2026 __________ Page2 of 4 3.The learned counsel for the petitioner submitted that the petitioner is innocent and has been in custody since 21.05.2026. He further submitted that the petitioner and the victim knew each other, which was disliked by the victim’s parents and that they gave false complaint against the petitioner. Hence, he prays to grant bail to the petitioner. 4.At this juncture, the learned Government Advocate (Criminal Side) appearing for the respondent police produced the victim’s statement recorded under Section 183 of the BNSS. He further submitted that the petitioner is approximately twenty-three years old, whereas the victim is approximately fourteen years old. He also submitted that with an intention to commit sexual assault, the petitioner hugged and kissed the victim. Hence, he opposed for grant of bail to the petitioner. 5.On a perusal of the statement recorded under Section 183 of the BNSS, the only allegation against the petitioner is that he hugged and kissed the victim. In such view of the circumstances and, considering the fact that the petitioner has been incarcerated since 21.05.2026, this Court is of the firm view that his further custody is not required for the purpose of investigation. Hence, this Court is inclined to grant bail to the petitioner with certain conditions. https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis CRL OP No. 18437 of 2026 __________ Page3 of 4 6. Accordingly, the petitioner is ordered to be released on bail on his executing a bond for a sum of Rs.25,000/- (Rupees Twenty Five Thousand only), with two sureties each for a like sum to the satisfaction of the learned Principal District Court, Ranipet, and subject to the following conditions: [a] the sureties shall affix their photographs and Left Thumb Impression in the Application for Surety ship [Judicial Form No.46 annexed to 'The Criminal Rules of Practice, 2019']. The learned Magistrate shall obtain a copy of any one of the identity proofs to ensure their identity; [b] the petitioner shall report before the respondent Police daily at 10.30 a.m. until further orders; [c] the petitioner shall not abscond either during investigation or trial; [d] the petitioner shall not tamper with the evidence or witness either during investigation or trial; [e] on breach of any of the aforementioned conditions, the learned Magistrate/Trial Court is entitled to take appropriate action against the petitioner in accordance with law as if the conditions had been imposed and the petitioner released on bail by the learned Magistrate/Trial Court itself, as laid down by the Hon'ble Supreme Court in P.K.Shaji vs. State of Kerala [(2005)13 SCC 283]; https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis CRL OP No. 18437 of 2026 __________ Page4 of 4 C.KUMARAPPAN, J. [f] if the petitioner thereafter abscond, a fresh FIR may be registered under Section 269 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023. 15.07.2026 ep Note: 1. Registry is directed to forthwith upload this order in the Official Website of this Court. 2. All concerned to act on this order being uploaded in Official Website of this Court without insisting on certified hard copies. To be noted, this order when uploaded in the official website of this Court will be watermarked and will also have a QR code. To 1.The Principal District Court, Ranipet. 2.The Superintendent of Prison, Central Jail, Vellore. 3.The Inspector of Police, AWPS-Ranipet Police Station, Ranipet District, 4.The Public Prosecutor High Court of Madras. CRL OP No. 18437 of 2026 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis