Singaravelan v. The State Represented by the Inspector of Police

ORDER The petitioner, who was arrested and remanded to judicial custody on

12.06.2026 for the alleged offences under Section 77 of BNS, 11 (4), 12, 14 (1) of POCSO Act, in Crime No.123 of 2026 on the file of the respondent police, seeks bail.

¶2The case of the prosecution is that the petitioner is approximately thirty-two years old and the victim is approximately seventeen years old. It is alleged that the petitioner captured a video of the minor victim girl while she was bathing, using his mobile phone . Hence the case. Page2 of 6

3.The learned counsel for the petitioner submitted that the petitioner is innocent and has been in custody since 12.06.2026. He further submitted that the petitioner is ready to abide by any stringent condition that may be imposed by this Court and ready to co-operate for investigation. 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 no previous has been registered against the petitioner. However, he contended that if the petitioner is enlarged on bail, there is every possibility of his tampering with the witnesses. Hence, he prayed for dismissal of this application.

5.A perusal of the statement recorded under Section 183 of the BNSS, reveals that the petitioner videographed the victim while she was taking a bath. It is also relevant to mention that after the incident, the petitioner's wife and mother requested the victim not to lodge any complaint.

6.Although serious allegations are made against the petitioner, considering the facts that he has no criminal antecedents, that the allegation is only the capturing of the video recording, which according to the prosecution was subsequently deleted, and that he has been incarcerated since 12.06.2026, Page3 of 6 this Court is of the firm view that his further custody for the purpose of investigation is not required. Hence, this Court is inclined to grant bail to the petitioner with certain conditions.

¶7Accordingly, 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 Special Court for Exclusive Trial of Cases under POCSO Act, Dharmapuri, 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 stay at Tiruppur and report before Tiruppur North Police station (Law and Order) daily at 10.30 a.m for a period of fifteen days; thereafter report before the respondent 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; [e] on breach of any of the aforementioned conditions, the learned Magistrate/Trial Court is entitled to take appropriate Page4 of 6 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. 14-07-2026 ep Note:

¶1Registry is directed to forthwith upload this order in the Official Website of this Court.

¶2All 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. Page5 of 6 To

1.The Sessions Judge, Special Court of Exclusive Trial of Cases under POCSO Act, Dharmapuri.

2.The Superintendent of Prison, Central Prison, Salem.

3.The Inspector of Police Pappireddipatty Police Station, Dharmapuri District.

4.The Public Prosecutor High Court of Madras. CRLoOPoNo.o18358oofo2026 C.KUMARAPPAN,oJ. EP CRLoOPoNo.o18358oofo2026 14-07-2026 Page6oofo6

Page1 of 6 IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS DATED: 14-07-2026 CORAM THE HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE C.KUMARAPPAN Singaravelan ..Petitioner(s) Vs The State represented by The Inspector of Police Pappireddipatty Police Station, Dharmapuri District. (Crime No.123 of 2026) ..Respondent(s) Prayer:- Criminal Original Petition is filed under Section 483 of BNSS, 2023, pleased to enlarge the petitioner on bail pending investigation in Crime No.123 of 2026 on the file of respondent Police. For Petitioner(s): Mr.J.Pradeep For Respondent(s): Mr.S.Yogaraja Sekar, Government Advocate (Criminal Side )