The Madhya Pradesh High Court at Jabalpur has dismissed the second bail application filed by Raju Jatav in connection with a case involving allegations of sexual assault against a minor girl. The Court noted that the State Forensic Science Laboratory, Sagar, in its report dated August 29, 2026, found that the applicant was not the biological father of the fetus.
Justice Ajay Kumar Nirankari passed the order on September 25, 2026, in Misc. Criminal Case No. 40365 of 2026. The order records that the victim was medically examined and found to be two months pregnant, following which the pregnancy was terminated and the fetus was preserved for forensic examination.
According to the prosecution case recorded in the order, the minor girl had alleged that the applicant forcibly committed rape with her. During her medical examination, she was found to be two months pregnant. Her pregnancy was subsequently terminated, and the fetus was preserved for forensic examination.
The applicant’s blood sample, along with samples relating to the fetus and placenta tissue, was examined by the State Forensic Science Laboratory, Sagar. Its report dated August 29, 2026, concluded that the applicant was not the biological father of the fetus.
Despite the forensic finding that the applicant was not the biological father of the fetus, the High Court noted that the victim, who was examined as PW-1, did not support the prosecution story and stated during cross-examination that the applicant had not committed rape with her. The Court also noted that, in her statements recorded under Sections 180 and 183 of the BNSS, she had alleged that the applicant forcibly raped her at Bageshwar Dham in Chhatarpur.
The Court further noted that the victim was aged 16 years, 2 months and 16 days. It directed the Superintendent of Police, Chhatarpur, to constitute a special team to conduct a detailed inquiry into who had sexually assaulted the minor and who was the biological father of the fetus.
"The Superintendent of Police, District Chhatarpur is directed to constitute a special team and conduct a detailed enquiry and find out that who sexually assaulted the victim and who is the biological father of the fetus. A detailed enquiry shall be concluded within a period of two months and an appropriate and suitable action be taken accordingly."
Considering the aforesaid facts, the High Court dismissed Raju Jatav’s second bail application filed under Section 483 of the BNSS.
The Court also directed that a copy of the order be communicated to the Superintendent of Police, Chhatarpur, for necessary compliance.
Case Title: Raju Jatav v. The State of Madhya Pradesh and Others
Case Number: Misc. Criminal Case No. 40365 of 2026
