SATISH BALU SURYAWANSHI Vs. STATE OF MAHARASHTRA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) This is an application for bail. The applicant is facing prosecution for the offence punishable under Section 376, 363 and 366 of the Indian Penal Code and Section 4 and 12 of the Protection of Children From Sexual Offence Act, 2012 ('POCSO' for short).

(2.) According to the prosecution the applicant had eloped with the prosecutrix who was then aged 16 years and had forcible intercourse with her.

(3.) I have heard the learned counsel for the applicant and the learned Additional Public Prosecutor. With the assistance of the learned counsel for the parties I have gone through the FIR lodged by the father of the prosecutrix as well as the statement of the prosecutrix recorded on 08th December 2018.