Anuj Yadav @ Katiya v. State of U.P. Thru. Prin. Secy. Home Lko and 3 Others
Case brief
What is this about?
Allahabad High Court, Lucknow Bench (Manish Mathur, J.), Neutral Citation 2025:AHC-LKO:23089; CRIMINAL MISC. BAIL APPLICATION No. 9251 of 2024, decided 23.4.2025. Bail allowed to applicant Anuj Yadav @ Katiya in Ayodhya POCSO/kidnapping matter (Case Crime No. 0346 of 2024; Sections 363, 366, 354, 328 IPC; 7/8 POCSO Act, 2012; P.S. Kotwali Nagar). Key points: victim's Sections 180/183 BNSS statements contradictory but trial deposition as P.W.1 corroboratory; medical examination report pressed by State; applicant stated to be about 18 years old, in custody since 20.07.2024; three prosecution witnesses (victim and parents) examined; reliance on Sanjay Chandra v. CBI (2012) 1 SCC 40; conditional bail with default clauses under Sections 229-A and 174-A IPC and Section 82 Cr.P.C.
What did the court decide?
First bail application allowed; applicant Anuj Yadav @ Katiya to be released on bail on furnishing a personal bond and two sureties each in the like amount to the satisfaction of the court concerned, subject to conditions: (i) undertaking not to seek adjournment on dates fixed for evidence when witnesses are present, failing which the trial court may treat it as abuse of bail liberty; (ii) presence before the trial court on each date fixed, personally or through counsel, failing which proceedings under Section 229-A IPC may follow; (iii) upon misuse of bail liberty and issuance of proclamation under Section 82 Cr.P.C. with non-appearance, proceedings under Section 174-A IPC; (iv) personal presence at opening of the case, framing of charge and recording of statement under Section 313 Cr.P.C., deliberate absence being treated as abuse of bail liberty.