SHAJU K V Vs. STATE OF KERALA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) This Bail Application filed under Section 438 of Criminal Procedure Code was heard through Video Conference.

(2.) The petitioner is the accused in crime No.341 of 2020 of Chaslissery Police Station, Palakkad District. The above case is registered against the petitioner alleging offences punishable under Section 376 of IPC and Section 3 read with Section 4 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012 and Section 9 and 11 of the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006. Initially, the crime was registered at Pallikkathode Police Station Kottayam, as crime No.556/2020. That crime was transferred to Chalissery Police Station, because the petitioner was residing within the limits of the Chalissery Police Station.

(3.) The prosecution case is that, based on the information received by the Child Welfare Officer, Kottayam over phone that the petitioner married a minor girl aged 17 years and they are living together in the house of the petitioner, the Child Welfare Officer submitted a complaint and based on the same the FIR is registered.