Allahabad HC Grants Interim Bail To POCSO Accused In 'Interfaith Relation' To Look After Pregnant Victim; To Review His Conduct In September

The Allahabad High Court on Tuesday granted two-month interim bail to a man accused under the POCSO Act and the BNS, directing him to look after the minor victim, who belongs to a different faith, is five months pregnant and is alleged to be in a relationship with him.The order was passed by a bench of Justice Rajesh Singh Chauhan, who clarified that the Court would consider whether to extend the interim bail or make it absolute on the next date (September 3), based on the 'conduct' of the applicant and the satisfaction of the victim and her mother. “The applicant and prosecutrix alongwith her mother, who is complainant shall appear in person before the Court on 03rd September, 2025 to apprise the Court as to whether the present applicant is properly looking after the prosecutrix and also to know as to whether the prosecutrix is satisfied with the efforts and support of the applicant”, the Court recorded in its order. Importantly, the Court also took note of the fact that both parties are willing to marry under the Special Marriage Act once they attain a legally permissible age. Accordingly, the Court directed that: “As soon as both the parties attained the marriageable age, they shall apply their marriage under Special Marriage Act and shall get their marriage registered before the marriage registration authority”. In the meantime, the applicant has been directed to look after the victim properly and to provide her with all necessary medical facilities which are required for her under the condition of pregnancy. Briefly put, the applicant (Satyam Sonkar @ Badkau), aged 20 years and 8 months, is in custody since March 6, 2025 in the present case facing charges under Sections 137(2), 87, 64(1) of the BNS and Sections 5J(11)/6 of the POCSO Act. Before the Court, the applicant's counsel submitted that the applicant and the victim had already married of their own will, though it was not a “social marriage” as both are below the legally permissible marriageable age, the girl being approx 17 years old. It was further submitted that the relationship had led to a pregnancy, but the applicant was willing to get married formally under the Special Marriage Act and to take full responsibility for the victim as his wife. Supporting the plea, the counsel for the complainant/mother of the victim informed the Court that the family had no objection to the proposed marriage between the applicant and the victim. Against this backdrop, taking into account the interest of the victim and her unborn child as well as the willingness of the parties to get married, the Court directed that the applicant may be released on interim bail for two months so that he can step out of jail and look after the victim. The Court made it clear that the continuation of bail would depend on the conduct of the applicant and the welfare of the prosecutrix during this period. The next hearing is scheduled for September 3.Case title - Satyam Sonkar @ Badkau vs. State Of U.P. Thru. Prin. Secy. Home Deptt. Lko. And 3 OthersClick Here To Read/Download Order

Allahabad HC Grants Interim Bail To POCSO Accused In 'Interfaith Relation' To Look After Pregnant Victim; To Review His Conduct In September

Sparsh Upadhyay

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