NAGARAJU Vs. STATE OF KARNATAKA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) This petition is filed under Section 439 of Cr.P.C seeking regular bail of the petitioner/accused in Crime No.264/2019 registered by the Jnanabharathi Police Station, Bengaluru City for the offences punishable under Sections 366, 354 and 376 of I.P.C. and Sections 4 and 6 of Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012 ('the POCSO Act' for short)

(2.) Heard the learned counsel for the petitioner and learned High Court Government Pleader for the respondent- State.

(3.) The factual matrix of the case is that the victim girl was not found in the house when the father came to the house on 08.11.2019 at about 2.00 p.m. Hence, the father of the victim girl had lodged the missing complaint on 15.11.2019 stating that his daughter aged about 17 years might have been taken by the petitioner and suspected about his act and further stated that all efforts are made to trace her, but he could not trace her. Based on the complaint, the police have registered the case in Crime No.264/2019 against this petitioner at the first instance for the offence punishable under Section 363 of I.P.C. and thereafter, the victim girl was secured and her statement was recorded under Section 164 of Cr.P.C. and offences under Sections 366, 354 and 376 of I.P.C. and Sections 4 and 6 of POCSO Act were invoked.