Missing valid proof of the victim’s age, completed investigation and prolonged custody support regular bail.

The petitioner sought regular bail under Section 483 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, in a case arising from a complaint that he had obtained money from the victim, taken her to a hotel room, sexually assaulted her, recorded the incident, and threatened to circulate the video

The FIR was registered for offences under Section 67(A) of the Information Technology Act, 2000; Sections 4(1), 11(iv), 11(v), 12 and 14 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012; and Sections 64(1), 77 and 137(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023

The petitioner was arrested on 5 March 2026; his bail application before the Sessions Court was rejected on 20 August 2026

At the time of the High Court’s consideration, he had been in custody for more than six months, the investigation was complete and the charge sheet had been filed; the Court noted that no valid document establishing the victim’s age had been collected

The victim’s counsel stated that there was no objection to bail

1. Whether the petitioner should be enlarged on regular bail in light of the allegations and the circumstances of the case

2. Whether the petitioner’s period in custody, completion of the investigation, absence of criminal antecedents, absence of valid age-proof material in the charge sheet, and the victim’s lack of objection supported granting bail subject to conditions

The petition was considered under Section 483 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, which provides the basis for the High Court’s consideration of bail.

The alleged offences were under Section 67(A) of the Information Technology Act, 2000; Sections 4(1), 11(iv), 11(v), 12 and 14 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012; and Sections 64(1), 77 and 137(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023

The order identifies no precedent or further bail test; it determines the application by considering the circumstances of the case and imposing conditions on release

The Court weighed the nature of the allegations against the petitioner’s lack of criminal antecedents, custody exceeding six months, and the fact that the investigation had concluded and the charge sheet had been filed

It also took account of the absence of a valid age-proof document in the charge-sheet material and the victim’s counsel’s statement of no objection to bail

On those circumstances, the Court considered regular bail appropriate, subject to conditions intended to secure the petitioner’s attendance and protect the proceedings