Rajasthan HC Bars Accused in POCSO Case from Using Social Media for One Year as Condition of Bail [Read Order]

Rajasthan: The Rajasthan High Court has granted bail to a man accused of sexually harassing a minor and stalking her online, while imposing an unusual condition barring him from using any social media platform for a period of one year. The Court warned that if the accused is found using any social media platform during this period, whether in his own name or under a fictitious identity, the bail order shall be recalled.

The order was passed on 21 May 2026 by Justice Ashok Kumar Jain in a bail application filed by Rukmandas Sharma alias Aditya Sharma, who is accused in FIR No. 41/2026 registered at Police Station Mukta Prasad Nagar, District Bikaner. The FIR was lodged on 22 February 2026 by the father of the minor victim, alleging sexual harassment, stalking, and cybercrime committed by the petitioner between 1 February 2026 and 20 February 2026. The petitioner was arrested on 24 February 2026, and a charge-sheet has since been filed against him under Sections 78(2) and 79 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and Sections 11 and 12 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act.

Counsel for the petitioner argued that the accused had been falsely implicated, that the investigation was complete, that the accused was no longer required for investigation, and that there was no risk of him fleeing the jurisdiction of the Court. It was also submitted that, apart from one pending case under the BNS and the Arms Act, the petitioner had no other criminal antecedents. The petitioner’s counsel further contended that no material beyond an oral statement had been submitted by the complainant to substantiate the charges mentioned in the FIR.

These contentions were opposed by counsel for the complainant and the learned Public Prosecutor. The complainant’s counsel submitted that the petitioner, with sexual intent, had been harassing the victim in a manner that made it very difficult for her to go about her daily life and had psychologically endangered her.

The Court, having considered the material on record and the nature of the allegations, found it appropriate to grant bail while imposing conditions aimed at ensuring the safety and well-being of the victim. The Court noted that the accused had been in custody for a considerable period and that the trial proceedings were likely to take further time to conclude.

Along with the social media ban, the Court imposed several other conditions. The petitioner was directed not to contact the victim or her family, directly or indirectly, and was specifically prohibited from sending any message through any communication platform, including Instagram, Facebook Messenger, Snapchat, or WhatsApp. He was also directed not to tamper with evidence or influence any witness, not to indulge in any criminal activity, and to attend all hearings before the Trial Court as and when required. Bail was granted on a bond of Rs. 50,000 with two sureties of the like amount, to the satisfaction of the Trial Court.

The Court made it clear that any violation of the conditions imposed would render the bail liable to be cancelled.

Case Title: Rukmandas Sharma @ Aditya Sharma v. State of Rajasthan, S.B. Criminal Miscellaneous Bail Application No. 3937/2026

[Read Order]