JAYALAKSHMI AND ORS. Vs. STATE OF KARNATAKA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) BOTH these petitions have arisen out of crime No. 4/2015 on the file of Krishnaraja Sub Division, Ashokpuram police station. The main petition in Crl. P. No. 1472/2015 is filed under section 438 of Cr.P.C. and the petitioner -accused No. 3 is apprehending arrest at the hands of respondent police, whereas the connected case Crl. P. No. 1538/2015 is filed under section 439 Cr.P.C. wherein the petitioner -accused No. 2 is seeking regular bail and he is in judicial custody. The alleged offences against the petitioners are under Sections 366 and 376 of IPC and under Section 9 of Child Marriage Restraint Act and under Section 6, 17 of POCSO Act.

(2.) HEARD learned counsel for the petitioners and the learned Government Pleader.

(3.) PERUSED the records. The main allegation is against accused No. 1 having married minor victim girl, aged 15 years and having sexual contact with the said girl. The allegation against these petitioners is that they had supported accused No. 1 in marrying the victim girl. Similarly placed accused has been released on bail by this Court in Crl. P. No. 1195/2015 on 23.3.2015. Thus, the petitioners in these cases are also entitled to be released on bail.