In a sensitive and complex legal matter involving allegations under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO), the Allahabad High Court has granted interim bail to a 20-year-old Hindu man accused of engaging in a sexual relationship with a minor girl from another faith. The girl is currently five months pregnant, and the case has stirred legal and social debate due to its interfaith dimension, the pregnancy, and the involvement of statutory protections for minors.
The accused, Satyam Sonkar alias Badkau, has been in custody since early March. The charges against him stem from sections of the POCSO Act and relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), which cover sexual offenses against minors. The pregnancy of the minor girl came to light during the course of the investigation, prompting the court to consider the broader implications of continued incarceration on both the minor and her unborn child.
Justice Rajesh Singh Chauhan, who presided over the matter, took a unique approach by granting the accused interim bail for a period of two months. However, this bail was not unconditional. The court explicitly linked the continuation of the bail to the accused’s conduct during this period. He was directed to take full responsibility for the medical care, safety, and overall well-being of the pregnant minor. The court further ordered that both the accused and the minor, along with her mother, appear in court in September so that their conduct and circumstances could be reviewed.
The court’s interim order carefully considered the interfaith nature of the relationship. The girl, around 17 years old, belongs to a different religion than the accused. Despite this, both the girl and her mother informed the court that they had no objection to the relationship. They also conveyed their intention to solemnize their marriage under the Special Marriage Act once both attain the legal age to do so. The court appreciated this intention and instructed that the couple proceed with the formal legal process as soon as they become eligible for marriage.
Justice Chauhan noted that while statutory provisions concerning the protection of minors must be taken seriously, the judiciary must also respond to unique human circumstances with compassion and flexibility. The court acknowledged that this was not a case of forced sexual exploitation, but rather a consensual relationship that had resulted in pregnancy. Therefore, denying the accused bail could potentially worsen the girl’s physical and emotional well-being during a crucial stage of her pregnancy.
In granting interim bail, the court sought to strike a balance between the legal framework designed to protect minors and the emerging realities of the case. It emphasized that this relief should not be interpreted as a final judgment on the accused’s guilt or innocence. Instead, the court underscored the need to ensure that the pregnant minor is adequately supported, medically and emotionally, during the later stages of her pregnancy. The review hearing in September will be crucial in determining whether the accused has fulfilled the conditions laid down by the court and whether he deserves a continuation of his bail.
Importantly, the court also warned that any failure on the part of the accused to abide by the responsibilities entrusted to him could lead to the cancellation of his bail and other legal consequences. The court reserved the right to revisit all aspects of the case based on the developments reported during the next hearing. The September appearance will also serve to ensure that the girl’s well-being has not been compromised and that her consent and satisfaction with the arrangement remain intact.
This interim bail decision reveals the court’s effort to incorporate a human-centered, rehabilitative approach in dealing with a case that combines elements of interfaith social dynamics, underage pregnancy, and legal technicalities. It reflects a nuanced understanding that the law, while rigid in its protection of minors, must also account for the lived realities of those involved—especially when both families appear to support a legal, consensual resolution through marriage.
In conclusion, the Allahabad High Court’s decision to grant interim bail to the accused rests on the condition of responsible conduct. By tethering the accused’s liberty to his duty toward the pregnant minor and subjecting the matter to judicial review in September, the court has set a model for cautious yet compassionate judicial intervention. This case may serve as a reference point for future instances where statutory legal protections intersect with complex interpersonal and familial circumstances.
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