VIJAYAN Vs. STATE OF KERALA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The petitioner is the sole accused in Crime No.122 of 2024 registered at the Varkala Police Station for offences punishable under Ss. 363,354,354A(1)(i) and 506(i) of IPC and Sec. 8 r/w 7, 12 r/w 11(i), 10 r/w 9(f) of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012. The crime is registered on the allegation that the petitioner, the karate master, attempted to kiss the survivor, a girl aged 14 years. The petitioner was arrested on 24/01/2024 and is continued in custody.

(2.) Learned Senior Counsel appearing for the petitioner submitted that the alleged incident had occurred on 01/07/2023, but the matter was reported to the police only on 24/01/2024, the date on which the petitioner was arrested. It is submitted that the allegation is ill-motivated and made at the instance of the petitioner's rivals. It is further submitted that, there is no justification of the petitioner's continued incarceration.

(3.) Learned Public Prosecutor opposed the prayer pointing to the gravity of the offence and submitted that the investigation is yet to be completed. Learned Prosecutor also voiced an apprehension that, if the petitioner is released, he may try to influence/intimidate the survivor and the witnesses.