Supreme Court Grants Bail to Udaya Kumar After Acquittal on Rape and Atrocities Charges.


23 September 2025 Bail and Antcipatory Bail >> Criminal Law   |   Rape >> Criminal Law  

The Supreme Court of India has directed the release on bail of Udaya Kumar following an observation that he had been acquitted of grave charges under Section 376 of the Indian Penal Code (rape) as well as the provisions of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989. The only offence that stood against him was under Section 417 of the IPC, dealing with the offence of cheating.

A Bench consisting of Justice Ahsanuddin Amanullah and Justice S.V.N. Bhatti, while considering the appeal from the order dated March 3, 2025, of the Madras High Court, noted that inasmuch as the most serious allegations had not been proved, there was reasonable ground for enlarging the appellant on bail.


 

 
 
 

The Court granted leave to appeal and ordered Udaya Kumar to be released forthwith, subject to conditions to be fixed by the trial court.

This judgment reinforces the rule that when the most serious charges in a case fail, and a minor offence alone succeeds, courts can tend towards releasing on bail so as not to unnecessarily restrict an accused person's liberty while his appeal is being heard.


Section 376., Indian Penal Code - 1860  

Section 417., Indian Penal Code - 1860  

Indian Penal Code, 1860  

Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989