IN THE HIGH COURT OF MADHYA PRADESH AT JABALPUR BEFORE HON'BLE SHRI JUSTICE SANDEEP N. BHATT

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ON THE 18 OF FEBRUARY, 2026 MISC. CRIMINAL CASE No. 6924 of 2026 KARAN KORI Versus THE STATE OF MADHYA PRADESH AND OTHERS Appearance:

Shri Pankaj Tiwari - Advocate for the applicant.

Shri Aditya Gupta, G.A. for respondent/State.

ORDER This is first application filed by the applicant under Section 483 of the Bhartiya Nagrik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 for grant of regular bail relating to FIR/Crime No.346/2025 registered at Police Station - Sanjeevninagar District - Jabalpur for the offence punishable under Sections 137(2), 64 (2) (M), 96 of BNS, 2023 and 5(L)/6 POCSO Act. Applicant is in detention since 25.11.2025.

2. As per prosecution story, mother of the prosecutrix lodged a missing report alleging that her daughter aged 17 years and seven months since 30.08.2025 from 11.30 A.M. she had left the home and had not returned. On the basis of aforesaid complaint, present case has been registered against the applicant.

3. The counsel for the applicant contends that the applicant is innocent and has been falsely implicated in the case. It is submitted by counsel for the applicant 21 years of old young boy. In 164 statement prosecutrix ha stated that she has solemnized marriage with the applicant and have stayed together for a period of four months with the applicant. Applicant is behind bar since 25.11.2025. It is further submitted that the age of the prosecutrix at the time of incident was 17 years and 07 months and now she is major. It is submitted that DNA report also does not support the prosecution story and there is no medical examination of the victim by the Doctor after victim was traced from the place of the applicant. Charge sheet has already been filed. Trial will take considerable time to conclude, therefore, the applicant be released on bail.

4. Learned counsel for the State has opposed the prayer for bail by saying that there is sufficient material on record, therefore, considering the age of the victim and considering the provisions of POCSO Act, no discretion should be exercised in favour of the applicant.

5. I have learned learned counsel for the parties and perused the case diary.

6. Considering the fact that now charge sheet is filed and accused is behind bar since 25.11.2025 and applicant and victim have stayed together for about four months and considering the age of applicant 21 years and age of the prosecutrix at the time of incident was 17 years and 07 months and considering the observation made in the judgment of Apex court Hon'ble Apex Court in the resent judgment in the case of State of U.P. Vs. Anirudh and another [2026 SCC OnLine SC 40], whereby the Court has observed regarding such relationship which can be considered as Romeo and Juliet relationship. Considering these aspects and considering the principle 'bail is the rule, jail is the exception' as well as Article 21 of the Constitution of India, but without expressing any view on the merits of the case, I deem it a fit case to release the applicant on bail. Therefore, the application is allowed. 7 . It is directed that applicant be released on bail on his furnishing a personal bond in the sum of Rs.50,000/- (Rupees Fifty thousand only) with one solvent surety in the like amount to the satisfaction of the trial Court, for his regular appearance before the trial Court during trial with a condition that he shall remain present before the concerned Court on all the dates fixed by it during trial and shall co-operate in trial. He shall abide by all the conditions enumerated under Section 480(3) of BNSS, 2023.

8. This order shall be effective till the end of the trial. However, in case of bail jump and breach of any of the conditions of bail, it shall become ineffective.

9. Certified copy as per rules.

(SANDEEP N. BHATT)

JUDGE MKL