G. ARULSELVAM Vs. STATE

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The petitioner, who was arrested and remanded to judicial custody on 22/5/2025, for the alleged offence punishable under Sec. 5(l), 5(n), 6 of POCSO Act in Crime No.439 of 2025, on the file of the respondent police, seeks bail.

(2.) The allegation against the petitioner is that the petitioner herein is the stepfather of the victim who is aged about 17 years and it is alleged that earlier, there was a dispute between the mother and stepfather. Hence the mother left the victim girl with the petitioner herein. Taking advantage of her loneliness, he committed aggravated penetrative sexual assault which resulted in pregnancy and subsequently a case was also registered and the petitioner was arrested.

(3.) The learned counsel appearing for the petitioner submitted that earlier, the victim had lodged a complaint against one Rahul stating that she was subjected to penetrative sexual assault, which resulted in pregnancy, and that, in this regard a case was registered and the same is pending. He further submitted that now the victim has changed her version and has alleged that the present petitioner committed penetrative sexual assault upon her and continuously harassed her. He further submitted that it is a false accusation made based on the inducement by other family members and he is ready to cooperate with the investigation. Hence, he prays to grant bail to the petitioner.