ROCHAN PRADHAN Vs. STATE OF SIKKIM

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The instant application for bail has been filed by the Petitioner under Sec. 483 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, read with Sec. 31 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012 (hereinafter, the "POCSO Act"), seeking enlargement of the Petitioner/accused on bail. He is presently in judicial custody having been arrested in connection with Sadar Police Station, Gangtok, FIR No.108 of 2025, under Sec. 5(j)(ii) read with Sec. 6 of the POCSO Act.

(2.) Learned Counsel for the Petitioner submits that the Prosecution case arises from a consensual romantic relationship between the Petitioner, who was nineteen years at the time of the alleged offence and the alleged victim girl who was aged about fifteen years and six months at the relevant time. Learned Counsel urges that the existence of a romantic relationship between the accused and the victim has been admitted in the FIR and is corroborated by the statement of the victim recorded during the investigation. In fact, the Medico Legal Examination Report of the victim does not indicate the use of force, violence, coercion or unnatural sexual acts. The FIR came to be lodged after the victim was taken by her mother to the STNM Hospital, Gangtok, when the victim was found to be running a fever. During the treatment, it came to light that the victim was pregnant and hence the criminal justice system was set into motion with the lodging of the FIR. That, the Petitioner is not a criminal and was in a consensual relationship with the victim and they had consensual sex which resulted in the pregnancy. The records of the Prosecution indicate that although the alleged victim was counselled to undergo a Medical Termination of Pregnancy, she on her own will refused to undergo the procedure. That, on 16/1/2026, the victim girl has given birth to a girl child and the Petitioner has not even seen the child till date. That apart, the parents of the Petitioner are taking care not only of the new born baby but also of the victim. That, previously an application for bail was filed by the Petitioner before the Court of the Learned Special Judge (POCSO Act), Gangtok, Sikkim, however the Petition was disposed of by a single paragraph Order, rejecting the application for bail, on grounds that it was statutory rape. That, humanitarian consideration may be given by this Court and since Charge-Sheet has already been filed and the trial is underway and in fact there was no criminality in the act of the Petitioner who is a permanent resident of this State, the Petition for bail be allowed. The Petitioner undertakes to abide by any conditions imposed by this Court.

(3.) Resisting the submissions advanced, Learned Assistant Public Prosecutor submits that not only was the victim a child, being a little over fifteen years of age but the gravity of the offence, which is a statutory rape has also to be given due consideration, hence the Prosecution objects to the Petition for bail and urges that the Petition be rejected accordingly.