Prem Pandit Vs the State of Jharkhand — Child Sexual Offences (POCSO) | Jharkhand HC (2026)

Prem Pandit Vs the State of Jharkhand — Child Sexual Offences (POCSO) | Jharkhand HC (2026)

What the court decided

AI extract

Outcome

Enlarged on regular bail upon furnishing a bail bond of Rs. 20,000/- with two sureties of the like amount each to the satisfaction of the learned Special Judge, POCSO Act, Giridih, subject to appearing on every trial date, refraining from threatening witnesses, cooperating in trial, with liberty to the trial court to cancel bail on any adverse report.

Issue for consideration

Whether the petitioner, charged under Sections 64(1)/87/96/137(2) of B.N.S. and Section 4 of POCSO Act in Gawan P.S. Case No. 11/2025 corresponding to POCSO Case No. 44/2025, should be enlarged on regular bail.

Court's answer

Having regard to the facts of the case, the statement of the alleged victim at para 56 of the Case Diary as supported by the averments in the counter affidavit, and the petitioner's custody since 11.02.2025, the court was inclined to enlarge the petitioner on bail, directing his release on a bail bond of Rs. 20,000/- with two sureties of the like amount each to the satisfaction of the learned Special Judge, POCSO Act, Giridih.

Ratio / Principle

As conditions of bail, the petitioner must appear before the learned trial court on each and every date, must not threaten any witnesses, and must cooperate in the trial; if any adverse report arises against him, the learned trial court shall be at liberty to cancel his bail.

Detailed headnote1 paragraphs

Regular bail granted — B.A. No. 10687 of 2025 (High Court of Jharkhand at Ranchi; Deepak Roshan, J.; decided 17.02.2026): petitioner Prem Pandit (aged about 22), charged under Sections 64(1)/87/96/137(2) of B.N.S. and Section 4 of POCSO Act in Gawan P.S. Case No. 11/2025 corresponding to POCSO Case No. 44/2025 (Giridih), enlarged on bail in view of the alleged victim's statement at para 56 of the Case Diary, its support by the counter affidavit, and custody since 11.02.2025; release ordered on a bail bond of Rs. 20,000/- (Rupees Twenty Thousand only) with two sureties of the like amount each before the learned Special Judge, POCSO Act, Giridih; conditions imposed — appearance on each and every trial date, no threatening of witnesses, cooperation in trial — with liberty to the trial court to cancel bail upon any adverse report.

2026:JHHC:4629

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JHARKHAND AT RANCHI

B.A. No. 10687 of 2025

Prem Pandit aged about 22 years son of Bijay Pandit Resident of Village-Bedodih, P.O. & P.S.-Deori, District-Giridih. .... Petitioner

Versus

The State of Jharkhand.

.... Opp. Party

CORAM: HON’BLE MR. JUSTICE DEEPAK ROSHAN

--------For the Petitioner : Mr. Shree Nivas Roy, Advocate For the Opp. Party : Mr. Tarun Kumar, A.P.P.

03/Dated:-17.02.2026

1. Heard learned counsels for the parties.

2. The instant bail application has been preferred by the petitioner for grant of regular bail for the offences registered under Sections 87/96/137(2) of B.N.S. and charges have been framed under Sections 64(1)/87/96/137(2) of B.N.S. and Section 4 of POCSO Act in connection with Gawan P.S. Case No. 11/2025 corresponding to POCSO Case No.44/2025.

3. Learned counsel for the petitioner submits that the petitioner has falsely been implicated in this case and he has committed no offence as alleged in the F.I.R. He further submits that the charge has been framed on 17.09.2025 and also the statement of the alleged victim dated 10.02.2025 does not support the case of the prosecution and the petitioner for no offence has been languishing in custody since 11.02.2025; as such, the petitioner may be enlarged on bail. He submits that the petitioner is ready to abide by every condition as imposed by this court.

4. Learned A.P.P. opposes the prayer for bail of the petitioner.

5. Having regard to the facts of the case and in view of the statement of the alleged victim at para 56 of the Case Diary which has also been supported by the averment made in the counter affidavit coupled with the fact that the petitioner is in custody since 11.02.2025; therefore, I am inclined to enlarge this petitioner on bail. Accordingly, the petitioner is directed to be released on bail on furnishing bail bond of Rs. 20,000/- (Rupees Twenty Thousand only) with two sureties of the like amount each to the satisfaction of learned Special Judge, POCSO Act, Giridih in connection with Gawan P.S. Case No. 11/2025 corresponding to POCSO Case No.44/2025.

6. It is made clear that the petitioner shall appear on each and every date before the learned trial court and he shall not threaten any witnesses and shall cooperate in trial and if any adverse report will come against this petitioner, learned trial court shall be at liberty to cancel the bail of this petitioner.

(Deepak Roshan, J.)

FEBRUARY 17, 2026 vikas/uploaded 18.02.2026