Mahesh Goud @ Maheswar Hati Vs State of Odisha — Child Sexual Offences (POCSO) | Orissa HC (2026)

Mahesh Goud @ Maheswar Hati Vs State of Odisha — Child Sexual Offences (POCSO) | Orissa HC (2026)

What the court decided

AI extract

Outcome

Bail granted: bail bonds of Rs.50,000/- (Rupees Fifty Thousand) only with one solvent surety for the like amount, to the satisfaction of the learned Court in seisin of the case, subject to the condition that the petitioner shall not contact the victim or visit her residence or street till disposal of the case; urgent certified copy directed to be issued and soft copy communicated to the concerned Court/Jail.

Issue for consideration

Whether the petitioner, accused of offences punishable under Sections 137(2)/65(1)/64(2)(m) BNS read with Section 6 POCSO Act, should be admitted to bail under Section 483 BNSS.

Court's answer

After considering the nature and gravity of the alleged offences, the accusations against the petitioner, his pre-trial detention since 18.02.2026, submission of the charge sheet, other circumstances including the statement of the victim, and the accused's inherent right to be presumed innocent until proven guilty at trial, this Court admits the petitioner to bail without expressing any view on merits.

Ratio / Principle

The bail application stands allowed; the petitioner is permitted to go on bail on furnishing bail bonds of Rs.50,000/- (Rupees Fifty Thousand) only with one solvent surety for the like amount, to the satisfaction of the court in seisin of the case, on such terms and conditions as it deems fit.

Key takeaways

Condition imposed: the petitioner shall not contact the victim in any way or manner and shall not visit the residence or street of the victim till disposal of the case.ratio¶17

Detailed headnote1 paragraphs

High Court of Orissa at Cuttack (Justice G. Satapathy), Order dated 27.07.2026 in BLAPL No.4747 of 2026: bail application under Section 483 BNSS by Mahesh Goud @ Maheswar Hati, accused of offences punishable under Sections 137(2)/65(1)/64(2)(m) BNS read with Section 6 of the POCSO Act (alleged kidnapping, rape and aggravated penetrative sexual assault on the victim) in Narla P.S. Case No.244 of 2025, corresponding to C.T. Case No.489/10 of 2025-26, pending before the learned ADJ-cum-Special Judge under POCSO Act, Bhawanipatna. Petitioner in custody since 18.02.2026 with charge sheet submitted. Considering the nature and gravity of the alleged offences, period of pre-trial detention, other circumstances including the victim's statement, and the accused's right to be presumed innocent until proven guilty, the Court admitted the petitioner to bail without expressing any view on merits, on furnishing bail bonds of Rs.50,000/- with one solvent surety for the like amount, imposing the condition that the petitioner shall not contact the victim or visit her residence or street till disposal of the case. No precedent was cited and no view on merits was recorded.

IN THE HIGH COURT OF ORISSA AT CUTTACK BLAPL No.4747 of 2026

Mahesh Goud @ Maheswar Hati

… Petitioner

Mr. S.K. Joshi, Advocate

-versus-

State of Odisha …

Opposite Party Mr. C. Mohanty, Addl. PP

CORAM: JUSTICE G. SATAPATHY

Order No.

03.

ORDER(ORAL): 27.07.2026

This is a bail application U/S.483 of BNSS by the petitioner for grant of bail in connection with Narla P.S. Case No. 244 of 2025 corresponding to C.T. Case No. 489/10 of 2025-26 pending in the file of learned ADJcum-Special Judge under POCSO Act, Bhawanipatna, for commission of offences punishable U/Ss. 137(2)/65(1)/ 64(2)(m) of BNS r/w. Sec.6 of the POCSO Act, on the main allegation of kidnapping the victim and committing rape and aggravated penetrative sexual assault upon her. 2. Heard Mr. Sushanta Kumar Joshi, learned counsel for the petitioner and Mr. C. Mohanty, learned Addl. PP in the matter and perused the record, but none appears for the victim despite being duly informed as apprised by the learned State Counsel.

After having considered the rival submissions and taking into consideration the nature and gravity of the offences as alleged against the petitioner vis-a-vis the accusations sought to be brought against him and regard being had to the pre-trial detention of the petitioner in

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custody since 18.02.2026 with submission of charge sheet in the meantime and taking into account the other circumstances on record in entirety including the statement of the victim and keeping in view the inherent right of the accused-petitioner to be presumed innocent until proven guilty at the trial, this Court without expressing any view on merits admits the petitioner to bail.

Hence, the bail application of the Petitioner stands allowed and the Petitioner is allowed to go on bail on furnishing bail bonds of Rs.50,000/- (Rupees Fifty Thousand) only with one solvent surety for the like amount to the satisfaction of the learned Court in seisin of the case on such terms and conditions as deem fit and proper by it with following condition:-

(i) the petitioner shall not contact the victim in any way or in any manner and he shall not visit to the residence or street of the victim till disposal of the case.

Accordingly, the BLAPL stands disposed of. Issue urgent certified copy of the order as per Rules. A soft copy of this order be immediately communicated to the concerned Court, who shall afterwards communicate the same to the concerned Jail through e-mail for reference.

(G. Satapathy)

Signature Not Verified

Digitally Signed Signed by: SUBHASMITA DAS Designation: Sr. Stenographer Reason: Authentication S.Sasmal Location: High Court of Orissa Date: 27-Jul-2026 20:19:53

Judge

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