12 hrs ago
Engineering Student Gets Bail in POCSO Case
A 20-year-old student was accused of sexually assaulting a schoolgirl.
He asked the Madras High Court for bail while the investigation continues.
The student said they had been in a relationship and that he planned to marry her only when both were legally able to do so.
The girl’s lawyer gave a different account and said the assault was forced.
The court did not decide which version was true at the bail stage.
The student promised not to pressure the girl or interfere with her choices.
He also promised that caste or community differences would not stop a lawful marriage if she freely chose one later.
The court granted bail but warned that breaking the conditions could cancel it.
The Madras High Court granted bail to a 20-year-old engineering student accused in a POCSO case.
The student undertook not to pressure or marry the schoolgirl before she reached the legally permissible age.
He also said caste or community differences would not prevent a future marriage if she voluntarily chose it.
The defence described a consensual relationship, while the girl’s counsel alleged forced sexual assault and abandonment after pregnancy was reported.
The court imposed conditions including police appearances, no contact-related interference, and no tampering with evidence or witnesses.
- Who
- A 20-year-old engineering student accused in a POCSO case, the schoolgirl, the prosecution, and the Madras High Court.
- What
- The Madras High Court granted the student bail after he undertook not to pressure the girl into marriage before the legally permissible age.
- Where
- The case was heard in the Madras High Court.
- When
- Justice M. Nirmal Kumar heard the appeal on September 9; the student had been arrested on June 27.
- Why
- The court granted bail while the investigation continued, subject to safeguards protecting the girl and the criminal proceedings.
Defence Account
Girl's Account
Nature of the relationship
Defence Account
The defence said the student and the girl were in a relationship and that their relationship became physical.
Girl's Account
The girl’s counsel alleged that the penetrative sexual assault occurred through compulsion and force.
Events after pregnancy was reported
Defence Account
The defence said the student intended to approach her parents for marriage after completing his studies, securing employment, and reaching the legally permissible age.
Girl's Account
The girl’s counsel said the student became unavailable, avoided her, and disowned the pregnancy.
Bail
Defence Account
The student sought release after giving an undertaking not to pressure the girl into an early marriage and to respect her voluntary decision.
Girl's Account
The girl’s counsel said there was no serious objection to bail in view of the undertaking, while the prosecution noted that the investigation was continuing.
Key facts
- Accused
- 20-year-old engineering student
- Case allegations
- Penetrative sexual assault of a minor, causing hurt, criminal intimidation, and caste-based offences
- Relevant laws
- POCSO Act, Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, and Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act
- Bail bond
- Rs 5,000 with two sureties for a like amount
- Student's undertaking
- No pressure, inducement, or influence to marry before the girl reaches the legally permissible age
- Court safeguards
- The student must appear before police when required and must not trouble the girl, abscond, or tamper with evidence or witnesses
- Investigation status
- The investigation was still in progress when bail was granted
Quotes
The accused engineering student
The 20-year-old engineering student seeking bail in the POCSO case
“I further undertake that, if the de facto complainant voluntarily chooses to marry me after attaining the legally permissible age, the fact that she belongs to a different caste/community shall not be treated by me as a ground or impediment for the solemnisation of such marriage.”
indianexpress.com
Sources
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