Insufficient grounds to deny bail due to lack of evidence connecting the applicant to the crime.

ORDER

This application is filed under Section 483 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (for short, BNSS ), seeking regular bail.

2. The applicant is the sole accused in Crime No.1081/2024 of Cantonment Police Station, Thiruvananthapuram District. The offences alleged are punishable under Sections 127(2) and 64(1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 (for short, BNS ).

3. The prosecution case, in short, is that on

07.10.2024, the applicant committed rape on the victim in a room at Hotel South Park, Thiruvananthapuram and thereby committed the offences.

4. I have heard Dr.K.P.Satheesan, the learned Senior Counsel for the applicant and Sri.M.C.Ashi, the learned Senior Public Prosecutor. Perused the case diary.

5. The learned counsel for the applicant submitted that the applicant is innocent and has been falsely implicated in the present case. The counsel further submitted that no materials are on record to connect the applicant with the alleged crime; hence, He is entitled to bail. On the other hand, the learned Senior Public Prosecutor submitted that the alleged incident occurred as a part of the intentional criminal acts of the applicant, and he is not entitled to bail at this stage.

6. The applicant was remanded to judicial custody on 24.12.2025. Both the applicant and the victim are married and having children. Admittedly, they were friends. On the date of the incident, the victim went to Thiruvananthapuram, where the applicant was working at a Bank. A reading of the FIS would show that the victim contacted the applicant and they had lunch together. Thereafter, the applicant took her to the room in a hotel and the victim voluntarily went along with him to the room. According to the victim, thereafter, the applicant forcefully had sexual intercourse with her. The investigation is almost over. The applicant has no criminal antecedents. For these reasons, I do not find any reason to hold that the continued detention of the applicant is required for any purpose. Hence, the applicant is entitled to be released on bail.

In the result, the application is allowed on the following conditions: -

(i) The applicant shall be released on bail on executing a bond for Rs.1,00,000/- (Rupees One lakh only) with two solvent sureties for the like sum each to the satisfaction of the jurisdictional Magistrate/Court.

(ii) The applicant shall fully co-operate with the investigation.

(iii) The applicant shall appear before the investigating officer between 10.00 a.m and 11.00 a.m. every Saturday until further orders. He shall also appear before the investigating officer as and when required.

(iv) The applicant shall not commit any offence of a like nature while on bail.

(v) The applicant shall not attempt to contact any of the prosecution witnesses, directly or through any other person, or in any other way try to tamper with the evidence or influence any witnesses or other persons related to the investigation.

(vi) The applicant shall not leave the State of Kerala without the permission of the trial Court.

(vii) The application, if any, for deletion/modification of the bail conditions or cancellation of bail on the grounds of violating the bail conditions shall be filed at the jurisdictional court.

Sd/-

DR. KAUSER EDAPPAGATH JUDGE

DSV/28.01.2026