ANANTHU 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 accused in Crime No.6/2022 of Cyber Crime Police Station, Thiruvananthapuram Rural alleging offences under Ss. 506(i) and 376 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860, Sec. 3 r/w Sec. 4, Sec. 11 r/w Sec. 12 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012 and Ss. 66(C), 67, 67(B) of the Information Technology Act, 2000.

(3.) According to the prosecution, petitioner induced the victim who is only 14 years old to make video calls and under the threat of morphed photographs, compelled her to send her nude images and also induced her to exhibit her nudity and when she refused, he threatened her by blackmailing and thereafter caused her to insert her finger into her vagina and even compelled her to record the same in the mobile. The accused is also alleged to have masturbated in her presence while making the video call and thereby committed the offences alleged against him.