IN THE HIGH COURT OF HIMACHAL PRADESH, SHIMLA Cr. MP(M) No. 5 of 2026 Reserved on: 29.4.2026 Date of Decision: 5.5.2026.

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

Whether approved for reporting?¹ No.

For the Petitioner : Mr. Ashok K. Tyagi, Advocate. For the Respondent/State : Mr. Ajit Sharma, Deputy Advocate General.

For the Victim : Mr. Lakshay Parihar, Advocate.

Rakesh Kainthla, Judge The petitioner has filed the present petition seeking regular bail in FIR No.12 of 2025, dated 25.3.2025, registered at Women Police Station Nahan District Sirmour, HP, for the commission of offences punishable under Section 65(1) and 137(2) of Bhartiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS), 2023 and Sections 6 and 17 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012 (POCSO Act).

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 victim left her home to take an exam on 24.3.2025 from 9.00 AM till 12.00 PM. She returned on 25.3.2025 with two boys. When her father asked them where they had taken the victim, they revealed that she had gone with Manish Kumar, a resident of