STATE OF KARNATAKA Vs. GOVARDHAN

JUDGEMENT

(1.) This appeal is filed against acquittal of accused for the offence punishable under Ss. 8 and 12 of POCSO Act and also for the offence punishable under Ss. 363, 323 and 506 IPC vide judgment dtd. 16/1/2024 in Special Case No.675/2022.

(2.) The factual matrix of case of the prosecution is that P.W.1 is mother of the victim P.W.2 and specific allegation against the accused is that on 13/4/2022 at about 3.00 p.m., accused took the victim girl from Nagarabhavi to a house situated at Dandadasakodigehally and threatened her to remove her clothes and touched her chest and caused harassment to her. As a result, he committed offence under Ss. 8 and 12 of POCSO Act and offence under Ss. 363, 323 and 506 IPC.

(3.) Based on the complaint of P.W.1, police have registered the case, investigated the matter and filed the charge-sheet against the accused. The accused was secured, he did not plead guilty. Hence, trial was conducted and prosecution relied upon the evidence of P.Ws.1 to 17 and got marked the documents as Exs.P1 to P21.