LIGITH Vs. STATE OF KERALA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) .This application is filed under Section 439 of the Cr.P.C.

(2.) The applicant herein is the accused in Crime No.1067 of 2018 of the Kodungallur Police Station, registered under Sections 366, 376(2)(n) of the IPC, Sections 4, 5(1) and 6 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012 and Section 9 of the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006.

(3.) The victim is a minor girl aged about 16 years and she is the neighbour of the applicant herein, who claims to be a temple priest. They fell in love and on 26.10.2018, he is alleged to have kidnapped the minor girl and she was taken to the Guruvayoor temple and they exchanged garlands. This fact was concealed from the family members of both the parties. Thereafter he used to visit the girl in the late hours and they had a sexual relationship. On more than one occasion, the applicant is alleged to have subjected her to penetrative sexual abuse. Later, their relationship came to the notice of the parents of the victim. She was confronted and she is alleged to have divulged that the applicant had married her. This prompted the father of the victim to lodge a complaint before the police, based on which the subject Crime was registered.