Bail Granted with Strict Conditions for Teenager Accused of Stalking and Publishing Explicit Content
In a significant judgment, the Kerala High Court, presided over by Justice Jobin Sebastian, has granted bail to a teenager accused of serious cybercrimes involving a minor girl. The bail application, filed under Bail Appl. No. 14628 of 2025, was decided on December 30, 2025. The accused, a teenager at the time of the alleged offence, was implicated in a case involving stalking and sharing explicit photographs of a minor girl via social media.
The prosecution alleged that the accused, from 2023 until July 8, 2025, engaged in stalking the minor both in person and through social media platforms. It was further alleged that the accused coerced the victim into sending nude photographs, which were subsequently published online, constituting sexual harassment. The offences fall under Sections 11 and 12 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012, Section 78 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, and Sections 66(E) and 67(B) of the Information Technology Act, 2000.
The defense, led by Advocates Shri. Azeem Salih, Sri. B. Vinod, and Shri. Hamdan Mansoor K., argued for the innocence of the petitioner, emphasizing his young age and lack of criminal history. The defense claimed that the charges were exaggerated following a breakup instigated by the victim's parents.
Despite the serious nature of the allegations, the court considered several mitigating factors, including the absence of prior criminal conduct and the substantial progress in the investigation. The accused had been in custody since November 15, 2025, and the electronic evidence had already been secured by the authorities.
In granting bail, the court imposed stringent conditions to ensure compliance and prevent further offenses. These include the execution of a bond worth Rs.1,00,000 with two solvent sureties, a prohibition on contacting the victim, mandatory weekly appearances before the investigating officer, cooperation with the investigation, a travel ban from leaving India, and a commitment to abstain from any further criminal activity while on bail.
The High Court's decision underscores the balance between ensuring justice for the victim and recognizing the potential for rehabilitation in young offenders. It also highlights the judicial system's responsiveness to the complexities of cybercrime involving minors. The court made it clear that any violation of the bail conditions could result in the cancellation of bail.
Bottom Line:
Bail application considered for a teenager accused of stalking and publishing explicit photographs of a minor girl under relevant provisions of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012; Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023; and the Information Technology Act, 2000. Bail granted with stringent conditions considering the absence of criminal antecedents, progression of investigation, and the age of the accused at the time of the alleged offence.
Statutory provision(s): Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012 (Sections 11(ii), 11(iv), 12), Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 (Section 78), Information Technology Act, 2000 (Sections 66(E), 67(B))
Amal v. State of Kerala, (Kerala) : Law Finder Doc Id # 2833377
