Rahul Pradhan Vs State of Odisha — Child Sexual Offences (POCSO) | Orissa HC (2026)

Rahul Pradhan Vs State of Odisha — Child Sexual Offences (POCSO) | Orissa HC (2026)

What the court decided

AI extract

Outcome

Bail application allowed; petitioner admitted to bail on furnishing bail bonds of Rs.25,000/- (Rupees Twenty-five Thousand) only with two solvent sureties each for the like amount, to the satisfaction of the learned Court in seisin, on such terms and conditions as deemed fit and proper; urgent certified copy ordered and soft copy of the order to be communicated to the concerned Court and Jail.

Issue for consideration

Whether the petitioner, charged under Ss.137(2)/64(2)(m) of the BNS r/w Sec.6 of the POCSO Act (alleged kidnapping, rape and aggravated penetrative sexual assault upon the victim) in Special G.R. Case No. 153 of 2025 arising out of Paradeep Lock P.S. Case No.380 of 2025, should be admitted to bail.

Court's answer

Having considered the rival submissions, the nature and gravity of the offences alleged against the petitioner vis-à-vis the accusations sought to be brought against him, his pre-trial detention in custody since 05.12.2025, submission of the charge sheet in the meantime, the statement of the victim and other circumstances on record including the inherent right of the accused to be presumed innocent until proven guilty at trial, this Court, without expressing any view on merit, admits the petitioner to bail.

Ratio / Principle

The petitioner is allowed to go on bail on furnishing bail bonds of Rs.25,000/- (Rupees Twenty-five Thousand) only with two solvent sureties each 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.

Detailed headnote1 paragraphs

BAIL — GRANT OF (S.483 BNSS application, BLAPL No.891 of 2026, decided 15.04.2026): Petitioner charged under Ss.137(2)/64(2)(m) of the BNS r/w Sec.6 of the POCSO Act in Special G.R. Case No. 153 of 2025 (Paradeep Lock P.S. Case No.380 of 2025) pending before the Addl. Sessions Judge-cum-Special Court under POCSO Act, Jagatsinghpur, on the main allegation of kidnapping the victim and committing rape and aggravated penetrative sexual assault upon her; petitioner in custody since 05.12.2025 with charge sheet submitted meanwhile; victim did not appear despite being duly informed. Taking into account the nature and gravity of the offences, the accusations against the petitioner, the period of pre-trial detention, submission of the charge sheet, the statement of the victim and the inherent right of the accused to be presumed innocent until proven guilty, the Court, without expressing any view on merit, admitted the petitioner to bail on bail bonds of Rs.25,000/- with two solvent sureties of like amount. (Paras 11-16)

IN THE HIGH COURT OF ORISSA AT CUTTACK BLAPL No.891 of 2026

Rahul Pradhan

… Petitioner

Mr. B. Das, Advocate

-versus-

State of Odisha & Another … Opposite Parties Mr. S.C. Pradhan, Addl. PP

CORAM: JUSTICE G. SATAPATHY

Order No.

02.

ORDER(ORAL) : 15.04.2026

This is an application U/S.483 of BNSS by the petitioner for grant of bail in connection with Paradeep Lock P.S. Case No.380 of 2025 corresponding to Special G.R. Case No. 153 of 2025 pending in the file of learned Addl. Sessions Judge-cum-Special Court under POCSO Act, Jagatsinghpur, for commission of offences punishable U/Ss. 137(2)/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 the victim.

Heard, Mr. Biswabhusan Das, learned counsel for the petitioner and Mr. S.C. Pradhan, learned Addl. PP in the matter and perused the record. 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-à-vis the accusations sought to be brought against him and regard being had to the pre-trial detention of the petitioner in custody since 05.12.2025 with submission of charge sheet in the meantime together with the statement of the victim and keeping in view the other circumstances on record in entirety

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including the inherent right of the accused to be presumed innocent until proven guilty at the trial, this Court without expressing any view on merit, 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.25,000/- (Rupees Twenty-five Thousand) only with two solvent sureties each 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.

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) Judge

S.Sasmal

Signature Not Verified

Digitally Signed Signed by: SUBHASMITA SASMAL Designation: Jr. Stenographer Reason: Authentication Location: High Court of Orissa Date: 16-Apr-2026 11:15:36

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