Odisha High Court Grants Bail in POCSO Case Over Violation of Arrest Procedure

The Odisha High Court granted bail to an accused in a POCSO case after finding violations of mandatory arrest procedures under Article 22(1) of the Constitution.

The Court examined records from a case pending before the Special POCSO Court in Bhawanipatna and noted discrepancies in arrest documentation, including mismatched signatures and the absence of the arresting officer’s signature on the grounds of arrest.

The Court held that the constitutional requirement of informing the arrestee of the grounds of arrest in writing was not complied with.

In view of this lapse, the Court ordered the accused’s release on bail subject to strict conditions.