PANKAJ KUMAR Vs. STATION HOUSE OFFICER

JUDGEMENT

(1.) This application is filed under Sec. 482 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (for short, BNSS), seeking pre- arrest bail.

(2.) The applicant is accused No.3 in Crime No.109/2025 of Cyber Crime Police Station, Thiruvananthapuram City. The offences alleged are punishable under Ss. 78(1)(ii) read with 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 (for short 'the BNS'); Sec. 67B of the Information Technology Act, 2000, and Sec. 14 read with Sec. 13 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (PoCSO) Act, 2012.

(3.) The prosecution case, in short, is that a minor girl aged 12 years, while using her father's mobile phone, downloaded the Snapchat application and began interacting with several users, including one identified as "Jinhwa" (accused No.1, namely Ishan). It is alleged that he exchanged photographs with the victim and persuaded her to share indecent images. The victim subsequently interacted with other Snapchat IDs such as "Korean Boy," "Smcamilaa," and "Seo Joon," allegedly operated by other accused, including the applicant herein.