Patna High Court
Ravi Mandal @ Ravi KumarversusThe State of Bihar
- Decided
- Disposal
- BAIL GRANTED
- Bench
- SANDEEP KUMAR
Holding
The court allowed the bail application, ordering the petitioner’s release on bail with bond and sureties, without expressing any opinion on the merits of the case.
Summary
The petitioner, Ravi Mandal, was arrested in connection with a case registered under sections 64 and 82(1) of the B.N.S., 2023 and sections 4 and 6 of the POCSO Act, alleging a sexual relationship with a minor under the pretext of marriage. The petitioner claimed innocence, asserting that the relationship was consensual and that the victim was a relative, and highlighted his clean antecedents and custody since 16‑12‑2025. The State opposed bail, while the victim’s statement recorded under section 183 indicated a continuous relationship of about one year. The court, considering the victim’s statement and the length of custody, allowed the bail application, directing release on a bond of Rs.10,000 with two sureties, and clarified that it was not expressing any view on the merits of the case. The petitioner was therefore released on bail pending further trial.
Issues considered
- Whether bail should be granted to the petitioner accused under sections 64, 82(1) of the B.N.S., 2023 and sections 4, 6 of the POCSO Act.
Legislation cited
- B.N.S., 2023 — s. 64, 82(1)
- Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act — s. 4, 6
Subjects
- bail
- POCSO Act
- sexual offences
- minor
- consent
- criminal procedure
Judgment
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT PATNA
CRIMINAL MISCELLANEOUS No.9767 of 2026
Arising Out of PS. Case No.-338 Year-2025 Thana- KADWA District- Katihar
======================================================
Ravi Mandal @ Ravi Kumar S/o Late Laxmi Mandal @ Lakri Mandal R/o
Village- Kamru, P.S- Kadwa, Dist- Katohar.
... ... Petitioner
Versus
1. The State of Bihar
2. X D/o Y R/o Village- Kamru, P.S- Kadwa, Dist- Katihar.
... ... Opposite Party
======================================================
Appearance :
For the Petitioner : Mr. Sanjeev Kumar Singh, Advocate
For the Opposite Party : Mr. Binod Kumar, APP
For the Opp. Party No.2 : Ms. Tanushri, Advocate
Mr. Purushottam Kumar, Advocate
======================================================
CORAM: HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE SANDEEP KUMAR
ORAL ORDER
3 27-04-2026 Heard learned counsel for the petitioner and learned
APP for the State.
2. The petitioner seeks bail in connection with
Kadwa P.S. Case No.338 of 2025 registered for the offence
under sections 64, 82(1) of the B.N.S., 2023 and under section
4/6 of the POCSO Act.
3. The petitioner is accused of establishing
sexual relationship with the victim on the pretext of marriage.
4. Learned counsel for the petitioner submits
that the petitioner is innocent and has falsely been implicated in
this case. He further submits that the victim is the relative of the
petitioner and there was a consensual relationship with them. It
has been submitted that the petitioner has clean antecedent and
he is in custody since 16.12.2025.
5. Learned counsel for the informant has
Patna High Court CR. MISC. No.9767 of 2026(3) dt.27-04-2026
2/2
vehemently opposed the prayer of the petitioner for grant of
bail.
6. From the statement of the victim girl
recorded under section 183 of the B.N.S.S., it appears that the
victim was related to the petitioner and they were in a
continuous relationship for about one year.
7. Considering the statement of the victim girl
and the period of custody of the petitioner, this bail application
is allowed.
8. Let the petitioner, above named, be released
on bail upon furnishing bail bonds of Rs.10,000/- (ten thousand)
with two sureties of the like amount each to the satisfaction of
learned District & Additional Sessions Judge, VI-cum-Special
Judge, POCSO, Katihar / concerned Court below, in connection
with Kadwa P.S. Case No.338 of 2025.
9. It is clarified that this Court has not
expressed any opinion on the merits of the case and the
observations made by this Court is only for the purpose of
deciding this bail application.
(Sandeep Kumar, J)
pawan/-
U T
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