Victim’s acknowledged relationship and pregnancy, with investigation complete, justified bail in the POCSO case.

Akshay Kumar sought bail in a case registered at Police Station Kanda, District Bageshwar, under Sections 5(j)(ii) and 6 of the POCSO Act read with Section 64(i) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023.

He submitted that he and the victim, who was a minor but over 17 at the time, were in a relationship; the victim had testified that she loved him and became pregnant by him.

The State did not dispute those matters.

The charge sheet had been filed, the applicant had no criminal antecedents, and he had been in custody since 14 May 2026.

Whether the applicant should be released on bail pending trial, in light of the circumstances relied upon by the parties.

The applicant was charged under Sections 5(j)(ii) and 6 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012, read with Section 64(i) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023.

The Court’s order does not identify a specific bail provision, set out a broader legal test, or rely on precedent; it assesses the applicant’s circumstances and the case’s procedural posture in deciding whether to grant bail.

The Court considered the applicant’s age, the relationship described by the victim in her examination-in-chief, and her testimony that she became pregnant by him.

It also took account of the completed investigation, the filing of the charge sheet, the applicant’s lack of criminal antecedents, and the absence of any need for further custodial interrogation.

On those grounds, the Court found that he deserved bail, without expressing an opinion on the merits of the case.

The Court directed that Akshay Kumar be released on a personal bond with two reliable sureties to the satisfaction of the court concerned.

Conditions included attending each trial date without unnecessary adjournment, surrendering any passport, and refraining from threatening the victim or her family.