Bail granted considering the adult complainant’s four-year consensual relationship, filed charge-sheet, and likely trial delay.

The applicant sought regular bail under Section 483 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (BNSS), in a case registered for offences under Sections 64(2)(m), 351(3) and 296 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 (BNS).

The prosecutrix alleged that she and the applicant had been in a relationship for about four years, during which he made objectionable videos and forcibly established physical relations with her.

The applicant claimed the relationship was consensual and relied on the prosecutrix’s age, completion of the investigation and his custody since 9 July 2026.

The State opposed bail, citing allegations of blackmail and sexual assault.

The charge-sheet had been filed by the time the Court considered the application.

Whether the applicant should be released on regular bail under Section 483 of the BNSS, having regard to the circumstances of the case, his custody and the expected duration of trial.

Whether release on bail should be subject to conditions securing the applicant’s attendance and preventing misuse of liberty.

Section 483 of the BNSS provides the basis for the High Court’s consideration of an application for regular bail.

The Court assessed the application by considering the circumstances of the case, including the prosecutrix’s age and the relationship described by the Court as consensual, completion of the charge-sheet, the applicant’s period in custody and the likely time required to conclude the trial.

The bail conditions refer to Sections 269 and 209 of the BNS and Section 84 of the BNSS in relation to attendance and proceedings following non-appearance.

The Court considered the competing submissions and the case diary.

In favour of bail, it noted that the prosecutrix was an adult, that the relationship had continued for four years and was consensual, that the charge-sheet had been filed, and that the applicant had been in custody since 9 July 2026. It also considered that the trial was likely to take time.

On that basis, the Court granted bail, subject to conditions intended to secure attendance and prevent delay or misuse of liberty.

It directed the applicant’s release on a personal bond of ₹50,000 with one surety for the like amount, to the satisfaction of the trial court, subject to conditions concerning adjournments, attendance, appearance following proclamation and personal presence at specified trial stages.