MUHAMMED BILAL Vs. STATE OF KERALA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) This is an application for regular bail.

(2.) Petitioner is the accused in Crime No.78/2022 of Chavakkad police station, Thrissur district, alleging commission of offences under Ss. 8 r/w7, 10 r/w 9(1) and 12 r/w11(i)(ii) (iii)&(iv) of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act.

(3.) Allegation against the petitioner is that he compelled the minor victim to share her intimate pictures and videos with him and also displayed his private parts to the victim over Whats App calls. It is also alleged that the petitioner attempted to assault the minor victim by hugging her on several occasions in a pathway in front of her mother 's house. 3. Learned counsel appearing for the petitioner submits that the petitioner is only 19 years of age. It is submitted that the petitioner has been in custody for a period of 56 days. It is submitted that though the arrest of the petitioner was recorded in the aforesaid crime only on 19/1/2022, petitioner was arrested on 16/1/2022 in an earlier crime registered against him (where the allegation is that he downloaded child pornography on his mobile phone). It is submitted that the continued detention of the petitioner is not necessary for the purpose of any investigation.