Chhattisgarh HC Grants Bail To Man Accused Of Trying To Disrobe 16-Year-Old, Citing Completed Probe, Victim Exam And No Criminal Record

The applicant sought regular bail under Section 483 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, in a case registered under Sections 75(1), 76 and 351(3) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, and Sections 8 and 18 of the POCSO Act.

The prosecution alleged that the applicant sexually harassed a 16-year-and-2-month-old victim, used criminal force with intent to disrobe her, and had made two or three attempts to sexually harass her.

The applicant had been in custody since 17 May 2026; the investigation was complete, the charge-sheet had been filed, and the victim had been examined before the trial court.

The State and the victim’s father opposed bail.

The application was considered under Section 483 of the BNSS, 2023, which provides the High Court with power to grant bail.

The Court also noted the offences charged under Sections 75(1), 76 and 351(3) of the BNS and Sections 8 and 18 of the POCSO Act.

No precedent or further legal test was cited; the Court assessed the application by reference to the circumstances identified in its order, including completion of the investigation, the victim’s examination, the filing of the charge-sheet, the applicant’s custody and antecedents.

The Court acknowledged the serious allegations, the victim’s age, the State’s opposition and the victim’s father’s objection.

It nevertheless found that the investigation was complete, the charge-sheet had been filed, and the victim had already been examined, reducing the risk of evidence tampering; it also considered that the applicant had no criminal antecedents and had been in custody since 17 May 2026.

On those circumstances, without expressing any opinion on the merits, the Court found the case suitable for regular bail.

Bail was subject to conditions prohibiting inducement, threat or promise to persons acquainted with the case, requiring conduct consistent with a fair and expeditious trial, and requiring attendance at every trial-court date until disposal of the trial.

The Court clarified that its observations were confined to the bail application and that the trial court must decide the case on its own merits.