Ashutosh Raj v. The State of Bihar
Case brief
What is this about?
Criminal Miscellaneous No.20293 of 2025, Patna High Court (Rudra Prakash Mishra, J.), decided 13-08-2025: bail application of Ashutosh Raj in Sahayak P.S. Case No. 10 of 2025 (Purnia) under Sections 65(1) & 351(2) BNS 2023 and Sections 4(2) & 8 POCSO Act for alleged rape of informant's minor daughter multiple times, with video recording and threats (prosecution case). Custody since 09-01-2025; no criminal antecedent claimed; charge sheet filed. Defence pleas: false implication due to Rs. 3 lakh loan dispute, vague/improbable FIR, 29-day delay, no eyewitnesses, no injuries or spermatozoa on medical examination, victim's age 17-20 years. State and informant opposed bail citing supportive Section 183 BNSS victim statement. Bail prayer rejected; Trial Court directed to expedite trial.
What did the court decide?
Bail refused at this stage: there is a direct allegation of rape against the petitioner, corroborated by the victim's statement recorded under Section 183 of the BNSS, 2023, and the victim is a minor.