VENUGOPALAN A.M. Vs. STATE OF KERALA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) This is an application for regular bail filed under Sec. 439 of Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973.

(2.) Petitioner is the accused in Crime No.839 of 2022 of Medical College Police Station, Kozhikode District. The offences alleged against the petitioner are punishable under Sec. 354A(1)(i) of the Indian Penal Code, 1860 apart from Ss. 7, 8, 9(l)(m) and 10 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012.

(3.) According to the prosecution, the accused who is an Auto-Rikshaw driver groped the victim aged 9 years while making them sit on his side during the ride and thereby committed the offences alleged.