PERIYASWAMY M. Vs. STATE OF KARNATAKA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The petitioner is before this Court calling in question an order dtd. 10/6/2022 passed in Spl.C.C.No.233/2020, whereby the Additional Civil and Sessions Judge FTSC - III, Bengaluru, has declined the plea of the petitioner to adduce the defence witnesses from the stage of defence evidence.

(2.) Heard Sri Sathish C., learned counsel for the petitioner and Smt. K.P.Yashodha, learned High Court Government Pleader for the respondent.

(3.) Brief facts leading to the filing of the petition as borne out from the pleadings are as follows: A complaint comes to be registered against the petitioner which becomes a crime in crime No.48/2020 on 11/2/2020 for offences punishable under Ss. 8 and 12 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act 2012 (for short 'the POCSO Act') and Sec. 354 of the IPC. The police after investigation have filed a charge sheet including the offence punishable under Sec. 376 of the IPC read with Ss. 5(n), 6, 8 and 12 of the POCSO Act. The trial is set in motion and is in progress. On completion of the evidence of the prosecution by examination of PWs.1 to 9 and crossexamination by the accused, on 24/5/2022, the statement of the accused under Sec. 313 of the Cr.P.C. is also recorded.