The court granted bail based on the victim's consent and lack of injuries, emphasizing the need for careful consideration of allegations and circumstances surrounding the case.

JUDGMENT :

Shekhar Kumar Yadav, J.

1. Heard Mrs. Meera, learned counsel for the applicant, learned counsel for the informant and learned A.G.A for the State of U.P. as well as perused the record.

2. The present bail application has been filed on behalf of the applicant in Case Crime No.226 of 2024, under Sections 363, 366, 376 I.P.C. and Section 4(2) POCSO Act, Police Station- Jiyanpur, District- Azamgarh with the prayer to enlarge him on bail.

3. As per prosecution story, minor daughter of the informant, aged about 16 years, has been enticed away by the applicant.

4. Learned counsel for the applicant submits that the applicant is innocent person and has been falsely implicated in the case. The applicant has not committed any offence as alleged in the impugned FIR. He submits that the incident took place on 17.5.2024 whereas the FIR has been lodged after due deliberation and consultation on 18.5.2024 but no plausible explanation regarding delay has been mentioned. He submits that initially, the impugned FIR was lodged under Section 363 IPC and after recovery of the victim and as per her statement, Sections 366, 376 I.P.C. and Section 4(2) POCSO Act were added. He submits that as per Pariwar register, the victim is 19 years and as per high school certificate, the victim is aged about 16 years. Learned counsel for the applicant has drawn attention of this Court towards the statement of the victim recorded under Section 164 Cr.P.C. wherein she has stated that she went with the applicant and has solemnized marriage with the applicant in temple on her sweet will. As per external examination, there is no internal or external injury found on the body of the victim. He further submits that as per statements under Section 161 and 164 Cr.P.C., the victim is a consenting party and as such, no offence under Section 376 is made out against the applicant. Several other submissions in order to demonstrate the falsity of the allegations made against the applicant have also been placed forth before the Court. The circumstances which, according to the counsel, led to the false implication of the accused have also been touched upon at length. It has been assured on behalf of the applicant that he is ready to cooperate with the process of law and shall faithfully make himself available before the court whenever required. He submitted that the applicant is languishing in jail since 30.7.2024 having no criminal history.

5. Learned A.G.A has vehemently opposed the prayer for grant of bail but could not disputed the above contention made by the learned counsel for the applicant.

6. Considering the facts and circumstances of the case, perusing the record and also considering the nature of allegations, arguments advanced by the learned counsel for the applicant/parties and as per statement of the victim, the victim is a consenting party, without expressing any opinion on the merit of the case, I find it to be a fit case for granting bail.

7. Let the applicant-Angad Chauhan, who is involved in aforementioned case crime be released on bail on his furnishing a personal bond and two sureties each in the like amount to the satisfaction of the court concerned subject to following conditions. Further, before issuing the release order, the sureties be verified.

(i) The applicant shall file an undertaking to the effect that he shall not seek any adjournment on the date fixed for evidence when the witnesses are present in Court. In case of default of this condition, it shall be open for the Trial Court to treat it as abuse of liberty of bail and pass orders in accordance with law.

(ii) The applicant shall remain present before the Trial Court on each date fixed, either personally or through his counsel. In case of his absence, without sufficient cause, the Trial Court may proceed against her under Section 229-A IPC.

(iii) In case, the applicant misuses the liberty of bail during trial and in order to secure his presence proclamation under Section 82 Cr.P.C., may be issued