Patna High Court
Pannalal SoniversusThe State of Bihar
- Decided
- Disposal
- DISMISSED
- Bench
- SANDEEP KUMAR
Holding
The court denied regular bail to the petitioner.
Summary
Pannalal Soni applied for regular bail in a case registered under Sections 126(2), 115(2), 75(2), 352, 351(2) and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 and Sections 8, 10 and 12 of the POCSO Act, alleging molestation of a nine‑year‑old girl. He has been in custody since 21 January 2026. The court examined the nature and gravity of the alleged offences, particularly the sexual assault of a minor. Considering the seriousness of the charges, the judge was not inclined to grant bail. Consequently, the application for regular bail was rejected.
Issues considered
- Whether regular bail should be granted to the accused in a case involving alleged molestation of a minor under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the POCSO Act.
Legislation cited
- Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 — s. 115(2), 126(2), 3(5), 351(2), 352, 75(2)
- Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act — s. 10, 12, 8
Subjects
- regular bail
- sexual offences
- child molestation
- POCSO Act
- Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita
- criminal procedure
Judgment
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT PATNA
CRIMINAL MISCELLANEOUS No.17569 of 2026
Arising Out of PS. Case No.-22 Year-2026 Thana- CHOUTARWA District- West Champaran
======================================================
Pannalal Soni S/o- Late Motilal Soni Resident of Vill- Siktour, P.S.-
Chautarwa, Dist- West Champaran
... ... Petitioner/s
Versus
1. The State of Bihar
2. Mrs. X W/o- Mr. Y R/v- Siktour Ps- Chautarwa Dist- West Champaran
... ... Opposite Party/s
======================================================
Appearance :
For the Petitioner/s : Mr. Sitesh Kashyap
For the Opposite Party/s : Mr. Jitendra Kumar Singh
======================================================
CORAM: HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE SANDEEP KUMAR
ORAL ORDER
2 24-03-2026 Heard the learned counsel for the petitioner and
learned APP for the State.
2. The petitioner seeks regular bail in connection with
Chautarwa P.S. Case No. 22 of 2026 registered for the offence
under Sections 126(2), 115(2), 75(2), 352, 351(2) and 3(5) of
the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 and Sections 8, 10 and 12 of
the POCSO Act.
3. The petitioner is accused of molesting a nine years
old girl. He is in custody since 21.01.2026.
4. Considering the nature and the gravity of the
offence, I am not inclined to grant regular bail to the petitioner.
Accordingly, this application for regular bail stands rejected.
(Sandeep Kumar, J)
Shishir/-
U T
Checking your session…