IN THE HIGH COURT OF HIMACHAL PRADESH, SHIMLA Cr. MP(M) No. 505 of 2026 Reserved on: 21.04.2026 Date of Decision: 27.04.2026.

Ramesh Chand …. Petitioner Versus State of HP …. Respondent Coram Hon’ble Mr Justice Rakesh Kainthla, Judge.

Whether approved for reporting?¹ No For the Petitioner : Mr Vijender Katoch, Advocate.

For the Respondent/State: Mr Ajit Sharma, Deputy Advocate General.

Rakesh Kainthla, Judge The petitioner has filed the present petition seeking regular bail in FIR No. 07 of 2025, dated 09.04.2025, registered at Women Police Station, Dharamshala, District Kangra, H.P., for the commission of offences punishable under Section 64 and 351(2) of Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023 and Section 6 of Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012.

1 Whether reporters of Local Papers may be allowed to see the judgment? Yes.

2. It has been asserted that, as per the prosecution, the petitioner committed an offence of aggravated penetrative sexual assault on the child victim by subjecting her to repeated penetrative sexual assault by calling her to his home in the absence of his family members. The petitioner is 60 years old man and a neighbour of the victim. The incide