Delhi High Court
BAIL APPLN./2216/2026 of POOJA Vs THE STATE OF NCT OF DELHI on 20 July 2026
2216/2026 Page 1 of 4 $~1 * IN THE HIGH COURT OF DELHI AT NEW DELHI + BAIL APPLN. 2216/2026 POOJA .....Petitioner Through: Mr. Dhananjay Sehrawat, Ms. Ritika, Mr. Hardik Raheja, Advocates. versus THE STATE OF NCT OF DELHI .....Respondent Through: Mr. Hitesh Vali, APP with SI Rakesh Kumar, Special
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IN THE HIGH COURT OF DELHI AT NEW DELHI
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BAIL APPLN. 2216/2026
POOJA
.....Petitioner
Through:
Mr. Dhananjay Sehrawat, Ms.
Ritika,
Mr.
Hardik
Raheja,
Advocates.
versus
THE STATE OF NCT OF DELHI
.....Respondent
Through:
Mr. Hitesh Vali, APP with SI
Rakesh Kumar, Special Staff,
Dwarka.
CORAM:
HON’BLE MR. JUSTICE PRATEEK JALAN
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O R D E R
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20.07.2026
1. The petitioner seeks interim bail in connection with FIR No. 178/2025 dated 08.04.2025, registered at Police Station Uttam Nagar, District Dwarka, Delhi, under Sections 143(4)/61(2)/3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 [“BNS”], and Section 81 of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015 [“JJ Act”]. The ground upon which interim bail is sought is that the petitioner’s daughter [aged 19] made an attempt to commit suicide on 08.05.2026.
2. I have heard Mr. Dhananjay Sehrawat, learned counsel for the petitioner, and Mr. Hitesh Vali, learned Additional Public Prosecutor.
3. The record reveals that the petitioner is accused of serious offences of child trafficking punishable under Sections 143(4), 61(2), 111, 238(b), and 3(5) of the BNS read with Section 81 of the JJ Act. In fact, by a judgment of this Court dated 03.11.2025 in CRL.M.C 6328/2025, regular bail granted to the petitioner by the Sessions Court was cancelled, inter alia on the ground that she is an active member of a child trafficking syndicate. The petitioner surrendered pursuant to the aforesaid order. As stated above, she now seeks interim bail on the ground of her daughter having attempted suicide.
4. The medical report has been verified by the prosecution and annexed to the status report dated 26.06.2026.
5. Mr. Vali rightly points out that the allegations against the petitioner are extremely serious, and that the bail granted to the petitioner was, in fact, cancelled by this Court. However, an application for interim bail on the ground urged herein requires humanitarian consideration. It is undisputed that the 19-year-old daughter of the petitioner made an attempt to take her own life. Even though I am informed that the petitioner’s husband is available, the requirement of emotional support from the mother cannot be lightly brushed aside.
6. Mr. Vali submits that the petitioner may flee from justice, if released on interim bail. However, as pointed out by Mr. Sehrawat, the petitioner was on bail for a period of over three months, pursuant to order of the learned Sessions Court dated 30.07.2025. There is no allegation that she misused her liberty during this period. I am, therefore, of the view that this apprehension can be allayed by imposing relatively stricter conditions.
7. Mr. Sehrawat also submits that the petitioner has two younger sons, for whom she is required to make care arrangements. It is expected that this task will also be completed during the same period of interim bail.
8. For the aforesaid reasons, it is directed that the petitioner be released on interim bail in connection with FIR No. 178/2025 dated 08.04.2025, registered at Police Station Uttam Nagar, District Dwarka, Delhi, for a period of ten days from the date of her release, subject to furnishing a personal bond in the sum of Rs. 25,000/-, with two sureties in the like amount to the satisfaction of the concerned Trial Court/Jail Superintendent, and subject to the following further conditions:
a. The petitioner shall provide her mobile number to the concerned Investigating Officer [“IO”]/Station House Officer, which shall be kept in working condition at all times. The mobile number shall not be switched off or changed without prior intimation to the IO;
b. The petitioner shall provide her residential address to the IO/SHO, and shall intimate them regarding any change in residential address;
c. The petitioner shall report to the jurisdictional Police Station at her place of residence on every alternate day at 09:00 AM, and shall be released within one hour after completion of formalities;
d. At the time of release, the concerned Jail Superintendent will inform the petitioner, in writing, of the date and time within which she must surrender. The petitioner shall surrender before the concerned Jail Superintendent on or before expiry of the interim bail period;
e. The petitioner shall not directly or indirectly make any inducement, threat or promise to any person acquainted with the facts of the case or tamper with the evidence of the case, in any manner whatsoever;
f. The petitioner shall not commit any offence during the period of her release.
9. The bail application is disposed of in terms of the above.
10. Copy of the order be communicated to the concerned Jail Superintendent electronically for information and necessary compliance. PRATEEK JALAN, J JULY 20, 2026 ‘B/KA’/