Sonu Munda Vs State of Jharkhand — Child Sexual Offences (POCSO) | Jharkhand HC (2026)

Sonu Munda Vs State of Jharkhand — Child Sexual Offences (POCSO) | Jharkhand HC (2026)

What the court decided

AI extract

Outcome

Release on bail on furnishing bail bond of Rs.10,000/- (Rupees Ten Thousand) with two sureties of the like amount each, subject to the condition that one bailor be a close relative of the petitioner having sufficient landed property in his/her own name within the State of Jharkhand, to the satisfaction of the learned Additional Judicial Commissioner-IV, Ranchi-cum-Spl. Judge POCSO Act, Ranchi (Special POCSO Case No.116/2025, Ormanjhi PS Case No.87/2025).

Issue for consideration

Whether bail should be granted to the petitioner, who is in custody for allegedly committing offences punishable under Sections 87 and 65(1) of the Bhartiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS), 2023 read with Section 4/8 of the POCSO Act. +1 more

Court's answer

Considering the statement recorded under Section 183 BNSS and the victim's statement as witness PW-3, the court was inclined to grant bail to the petitioner.

Ratio / Principle

On going through the record, the court found that the victim girl does not allege any sexual assault by this petitioner; rather she stated that, as her mother had rebuked her, she out of rage left the house and went to the house of this petitioner, where this petitioner told her to return to her house.

Key takeaways

The petitioner is directed to be released on bail on furnishing a bail bond of Rs.10,000/- (Rupees Ten Thousand) with two sureties of the like amount each, subject to the condition that one of the bailors should be a close relative of the petitioner having sufficient landed property in his/her own name within the State of Jharkhand, to the satisfaction of the learned Additional Judicial Commissioner-IV, Ranchi-cum-Spl. Judge POCSO Act, Ranchi, in connection with Special POCSO Case No.116/2025 arising out of Ormanjhi PS Case No.87/2025.ratio¶16

Detailed headnote1 paragraphs

BAIL GRANTED — Custody offence: alleged kidnapping and sexual assault of a 13-year-old girl; charges under Ss. 87 & 65(1) Bhartiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS), 2023 r/w S. 4/8 POCSO Act (Ormanjhi PS Case No.87/2025; Special POCSO Case No.116/2025, Ranchi). Bail application under Ss. 483 & 484 Bhartiya Nagrik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023. Decisive ground: the victim's statement under S. 183 BNSS and her testimony as PW-3 contain no allegation of sexual assault by the petitioner; she stated she left home after being rebuked by her mother and went to the petitioner's house, where he told her to return. Bail allowed on a bond of Rs.10,000/- with two sureties of like amount each, one bailor to be a close relative holding sufficient landed property in his/her own name within Jharkhand, to the satisfaction of the learned Additional Judicial Commissioner-IV, Ranchi-cum-Spl. Judge POCSO Act, Ranchi. (Ananda Sen, J.) 12.03.2026.

2026:JHHC:6576

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JHARKHAND AT RANCHI B.A. No.137 of 2026

Sonu Munda, aged about 22 years, son of Jhabra Munda, R/o Village-Hutup, PO-Irba, PS-Ormanjhi, Dist-Ranchi.

… … Petitioner(s)

Versus

The State of Jharkhand. … … Opposite Party(s)

CORAM : SRI ANANDA SEN, J.

For the Petitioner(s) : Mr. Ajit Kumar, Advocate Mr. Vikesh Kumar, Advocate For the State : Mr. Manoj Kr. Mishra, APP -----

03/ 12^th March, 2026

1. This bail application has been filed under Sections 483 and 484 of the Bhartiya Nagrik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 wherein, prayer has been made for grant of bail as the petitioner is in custody for allegedly committing offences punishable under Sections 87 and 65(1) of the Bhartiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS), 2023 read with Section 4/8 of the POCSO Act.

2. Heard, the learned counsel for the petitioner and learned counsel for the State and have also gone through the impugned order.

3. The learned APP opposes the prayer for grant of bail.

4. It is alleged that the petitioner has kidnapped the girl of 13 years of the informant and thereafter committed sexual assault upon her.

5. After going through the record, I find that the victim girl has been examined under Section 183 of the BNSS. The statement is on record. She has also been examined as PW-3. Her statement is also on record.

6. After going through the record, I find that she does not alleges any sexual assault by this petitioner rather she stated that as her mother has rebuked her, she out of rage has left the house and gone to the house of this petitioner when this petitioner told her to return to her house.

7. Considering the statement recorded under Section 183 BNSS and her statement as witnesses PW-3, I am inclined to grant bail to the petitioner. Accordingly, the petitioner, named above, is directed to be released on bail on furnishing bail bond of Rs.10,000/(Rupees Ten Thousand) with two sureties of the like amount each to

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2026:JHHC:6576 the satisfaction of the learned Additional Judicial Commissioner-IV, Ranchi-cum-Spl. Judge POCSO Act, Ranchi in connection with (Special POCSO Case No.116/2025) Ormanjhi PS. Case No.87/2025 subject to the condition that one of the bailors should be close relative of the petitioner having sufficient landed property in his/her own name within the State of Jharkhand.

8. Accordingly, the bail application stands allowed .

(ANANDA SEN, J.)

12.03.2026 SKD/CP-3

Uploaded on 13.03.2026

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