2026:JHHC:3125 IN THE HIGH COURT OF JHARKHAND AT RANCHI B.A. No. 11878 of 2025 ------ Lakhan Mahto @ Pawan Mahto, S/o Sri Tulsi Mahto, R/o Village- Govindpurkala, PO and PS- Bishungarh, District- Hazaribag. .... .... …. Petitioner Versus The State of Jharkhand .... .... .... Opposite Party ……….. CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE GAUTAM KUMAR CHOUDHARY ……….. For the Petitioner : Mr. Awanikant Prasad, Advocate For the State : Mrs. Bandana Sinha, APP ------ Order No.2 / Dated : 5.02.2026. Heard both the sides. The petitioner, above-named who is in custody since 15.10.2025 in connection with Bishungarh [Hazaribag] P.S. Case No. 199 of 2025 for the offence registered under Sections 69, 109 of BNS, 2023 and under Sections 3(5), 4, 8 of POCSO Act has prayed for regular bail. As per the prosecution case, it is apparent that there was love- affair and they were in touch with each other through Instagram. The first incident is said to have taken place on 25.06.2025 whereas the FIR was lodged on 12.10.2025 i.e. after delay of about four months. It is submitted by the learned counsel on behalf of petitioner that the allegation of sexual assault has not been corroborated by the medical evidence. Physical relationship between them, if any, was consensual in nature. Learned A.P.P. for the State has opposed the prayer for bail. It is submitted that consent of minor is inconsequential. Under the circumstances, the above-named petitioner is directed to be released on bail on furnishing bail bond of Rs.25,000/-(Twenty- Five Thousand) with two sureties of the like amount each to the satisfaction of the Court below. (Gautam Kumar Choudhary, J.) Sandeep/ Uploaded