JOY Vs. STATE OF KERALA

JUDGEMENT

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

(2.) Petitioner is the first accused in Crime No.76/2022 of Railway Police Station, Ernakulam alleging offences under Ss. 354, 341, 323 and 294(b) r/w Sec. 34 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860 apart from Ss. 7 and 8 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012.

(3.) Prosecution alleges that on 25/6/2022, while the victim girl, aged 16 years was travelling on the train with her father from Ernakulam to Thrissur, the first accused with sexual intent touched the leg of the victim girl and when this was questioned by the father of the victim, the accused 2 to 5 caught hold of him and after restraining him shouted obscene words and assaulted him and thus committed the offences alleged.