Santhosh @ Santhosh M v. State of Karntaka
Case brief
What is this about?
Karnataka High Court (Bengaluru), CRL.P No. 711 of 2026, decided 23.03.2026 by S Rachaiah J. — regular bail allowed under S.439 Cr.PC / S.483 BNSS to Accused No.1 (aged about 26, Davangere) in Crime No.48/2025, Peenya PS, involving S.137(2) & 64 BNS 2023, S.6 POCSO Act and Ss.9-11 Prohibition of Child Marriage Act; minor victim (17 yrs 1 month) allegedly kidnapped, child-married and sexually assaulted after elopement on 28.01.2025; bail granted on the strength of the victim's S.164 Cr.PC statement without adverting to merits; personal bond Rs.1,00,000/- with one surety; conditions against tampering, attendance on all dates, no fresh offences; State (HCGP Anitha Girish N) opposed citing wrong signal to society; Respondent No.2 (co-named Santosh M) served and unrepresented; no precedents cited.
What did the court decide?
Petitioner ordered to be released on bail in Crime No.48/2025 on executing a personal bond of Rs.1,00,000/- with one surety for the like sum, to the satisfaction of the Trial Court, subject to conditions: (i) not to threaten or tamper with prosecution witnesses nor hamper Court proceedings; (ii) to appear before the Trial Court on all hearing dates without fail; (iii) not to indulge in any criminal cases till disposal of the case; liberty reserved to the prosecution to file an application for cancellation of bail in case of violation.