RUSTOM KERAWALLA Vs. STATE OF KARNATAKA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The petitioner, in this writ petition, calls in question order dtd. 8/4/2022, by which cognizance is taken against the petitioner for offences punishable under Sec. 202 of the IPC and Sec. 19 r/w Sec. 21(1) and (2) of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012 ('the Act' for short).

(2.) Facts as projected by the prosecution are as follows:-

(3.) The petitioner is arrayed as accused No.3. The allegation against the petitioner is that he being the head of the school has not reported the said incident that has happened 15 days ago to the Police and therefore, has violated Sec. 19 of the Act and has become open for punishment under Sec. 21(1) and (2) of the Act read with Sec. 202 of the IPC. The crux of the allegation against the petitioner revolves around the said provisions. After registration of the crime, the learned Sessions Judge takes cognizance of the offences against all the accused which came to be challenged before this Court by the petitioner as he was arrayed as accused No.3 and cognizance was taken against the petitioner also for the aforesaid offences.