CRL OP No. 18783 of 2026 __________ Page1 of 5 IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS DATED: 23-07-2026 CORAM THE HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE C.KUMARAPPAN CRL OP No. 18783 of 2026 Karthik ..Petitioner Vs State Represented by The Inspector of Police, All Women Police Station, Vandalur, Tambaram, Chengalpattu District. Crime.No.26 of 2026 ..Respondent PRAYER : Criminal Original Petition filed under Section 483 of Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, to enlarge the petitioner on bail pending investigation in connection with Crime No.26 of 2026 on the file of respondent police. For Petitioner: Mr.R.Sasikumar For Respondent: Mr.S.Yogaraja Sekar Counsel for Government of Tamilnadu (Criminal Side) ORDER The petitioner, who was arrested and remanded to judicial custody on 28.05.2026 for the alleged offences under Sections 74 of BNS r/w 9(m), 10 of POCSO Act in Crime No.26 of 2026 on the file of the respondent police, seeks bail. https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis CRL OP No. 18783 of 2026 __________ Page2 of 5 2. The case of the prosecution is that the petitioner misbehaved with and sexually harassed the two victims, who are aged about 10 years. Hence, the case was registered. 3.The learned counsel for the petitioner submits that the petitioner is innocent and has been falsely implicated in this case. It is further submitted that though the alleged occurrence took place on 09.04.2026, the complaint was registered only on 27.05.2026. The learned counsel further submits that the petitioner has been in judicial custody since 28.05.2026 and is ready to abide by any conditions that may be imposed by this Court. Hence, he prays for the grant of bail. 4.The learned Government Advocate (Crl.Side) appearing for the respondent, while opposing the grant of bail to the petitioner, reiterated the prosecution case and, on instructions, submitted that the statement of the victim under section 183 of BNSS has been recorded. 5. I have given anxious consideration to the submissions made by the learned counsel on either side. 6. On perusing the statement recorded under Section 183 of the BNSS, it is observed that the victim girl has spoken about the conduct of the petitioner. https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis CRL OP No. 18783 of 2026 __________ Page3 of 5 Though such an allegation has been made, considering the delay in registering the complaint and the period of incarceration undergone by the petitioner since 28.05.2026, this Court is of the view that the petitioner's further custody for the purpose of investigation is not required, as a major portion of the investigation might have been completed by this time. Hence, this Court is inclined to enlarge the petitioner on bail, subject to certain conditions 7. 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 for a like sum each to the satisfaction of the learned Principal District and Session Court, Kancheepuram, 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. for a period of two weeks and thereafter as and when required for interrogation; [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; https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis CRL OP No. 18783 of 2026 __________ Page4 of 5 [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]; [f] if the petitioner thereafter abscond, a fresh FIR may be registered under Section 269 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023. 23-07-2026 NSL 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 and Session Court, Kancheepuram. 2. The District Prison, Chengalpattu. 3. The Inspector of Police, All Women Police Station, Vandalur, Tambaram, Chengalpattu District. 4. The Public Prosecutor, High Court of Madras. https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis CRL OP No. 18783 of 2026 __________ Page5 of 5 C.KUMARAPPAN, J. NSL CRL OP No. 18783 of 2026 23-07-2026 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis