Ankit v. State of U.P. Thru. Prin. Secy. Home Deptt. and 3 Others
Case brief
What is this about?
Bail allowed; POCSO Act ss.5 & 6 with BNS ss.137(2), 87, 64; Case Crime/FIR No. 0161 of 2024, P.S. Gadaganj, District Raebareli; applicant Ankit in custody since 17.10.2024; minor prosecutrix retracts Section 183 BNSS marriage statement before High Court; claims voluntary departure and about four months' cohabitation without protest; mother opposes marriage (inter-caste); State contends consent of under-18 meaningless; Court acts 'without entering into merits', treats as seeming case of mutual consent; no prior criminal history; personal bond plus two sureties; bail conditions referencing Sections 82 Cr.P.C., 174-A IPC, 229-A IPC, 313 Cr.P.C.; no precedent relied on; Allahabad High Court Lucknow Bench; Rajesh Singh Chauhan, J.; decided 22.1.2025; Neutral Citation 2025:AHC-LKO:4595.
What did the court decide?
Applicant Ankit enlarged on bail in Case Crime/FIR No. 0161 of 2024, P.S. Gadaganj, District Raebareli, on furnishing a personal bond and two sureties each in the like amount, subject to the five conditions set out in paragraphs 26-30 of the judgment (adjournment undertaking, trial attendance with penal consequences for default under Sections 229-A/174-A IPC and Section 82 Cr.P.C. proclamation, presence at charge-framing and Section 313 Cr.P.C. recording, and no departure from India without prior permission).