MANU Vs. STATE

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The petitioner has filed this petition under Sec. 439 of Cr.P.C. seeking for enlarging him on bail in Crime No.99/2023 of Women Police Station, Hassan, registered for the offence punishable under Sec. 376 of IPC and Ss. 5(l), 5(j) and 6 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012 (in short 'POCSO'), pending on the file of the Additional District and Sessions Judge and Fast Track Special Court-I at Hassan.

(2.) Heard learned counsel for the petitioner and learned High Court Government Pleader for respondent No.1-State. perused the records.

(3.) The allegations of the prosecution disclose that the petitioner/accused came in contact with victim through Instagram two years earlier and later on they developed love affair amongst themselves. When the victim was studying in A.V.K College at Hassan, by staying in the hostel, the petitioner/accused used to visit the hostel and used to take victim to various places and subsequently under the guise of marrying her, he committed penetrative sexual assault on her in his house on number of occasions. When the relationship was noticed by the family members, they discontinued her education in A.V.K. College and she was got admitted in Mallipatna Pre-university College of Kelagalale Village. However, it is noticed that the victim in due course is found to be pregnant and after getting confirmation the matter was alleged to have been reported to Government hospital of Hassan SB-1 staff center and the victim is alleged to have been counseled. After counseling her, complaint was recorded by police and on the basis of the complaint FIR came to be registered. The petitioner/accused was arrested and remanded to custody. He has approached learned Special Judge seeking regular bail and his bail petition came to be rejected. Hence the petitioner/accused is before this Court.