XXXX Vs. STATE OF KERALA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) This is an application filed u/s 439 of Code of Criminal Procedure seeking regular bail.

(2.) The petitioner is the accused in Crime No.1454/2021 of Punalur Police Station. The offences alleged are under Ss. 354D and 354A(1)(i) of the Indian Penal Code and Sec. 7 read with 8 and 11(iv) read with 12 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act.

(3.) The prosecution case in short is as follows. The accused was working in an electronic shop situated opposite to the victim's place of dwelling. The victim is a minor girl aged 17 years. It is alleged that the accused after several episodes of stalking, feigned love and thereby secured the confidence of the victim and thereafter he commenced to contact her through various electronic means. Afterwards on 23/11/2021, at around 11.30 pm, the accused lured the victim to come out of her place of abode and thereafter with sexual intent, firmly caught hold of her hand and tried to take her away from the scene of occurrence and thereby committed the offence.