Man Accused Of Sexually Exploiting Scheduled Caste Woman On Marriage Promise Gets Bail: Chhattisgarh HC Notes Hotel Visits And Filed Chargesheet

The appellant challenged the Special Judge’s order rejecting his bail application in a case registered under Sections 69, 296(B) and 351(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, and Section 3(2)(v) of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989.

The prosecution alleged that he sexually exploited the victim, a member of a Scheduled Caste, on the promise of marriage between 6 December 2024 and 28 January 2026, and later refused to marry her.

The appellant contended that the relationship was consensual, the victim was an adult, the charge-sheet had been filed, and he had no criminal antecedents; the State opposed bail.

The appellant had been in custody since 6 May 2026.

Section 14-A(2) of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989, provided the basis for the appeal against the Special Judge’s order.

The alleged offences were under Sections 69, 296(B) and 351(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, and Section 3(2)(v) of the SC/ST Act.

The Court cited no precedent or detailed legal test for bail; its decision considered the case materials, including the victim’s statement under Section 183 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, alongside the circumstances relevant to release on bail.

The Court noted that the FIR and the victim’s statement indicated a degree of intimacy between the appellant and the victim over the alleged period, and that she had visited hotels with him on several occasions.

Without expressing any view on the merits, the Court also took account of the filing of the charge-sheet, the absence of criminal antecedents, and the appellant’s custody since 6 May 2026. On those circumstances, it found the appeal should be allowed.

It directed that the appellant be released on bail upon furnishing a personal bond of ₹50,000 with one surety to the satisfaction of the trial Court, subject to conditions prohibiting interference with witnesses or the fair trial and requiring attendance at each hearing until disposal of the trial.