JUDGMENT

1. This petition is filed by the sole accused under Sec. 439 of The Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (hereinafter referred to as the ' Cr.P.C .', for brevity) seeking bail in Crime No.100/2022 of Marihal Police Station, Belagavi, registered for the offences punishable under Ss. 376 of The Indian Penal Code (hereinafter referred to as the ' IPC ', for brevity) and Ss. 4 and 6 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012(hereinafter referred to as the 'POCSO Act', for brevity).

2. The case of the prosecution is that, respondent No.2, who is working as the Supervisor of Anganwadi in Belagavi Rural, has lodged the complaint stating that, on 9/6/2022, she received a phone call from unknown person that one minor girl, aged 17 years, resident of Kambaar Galli, Sulebhavi village, marriage was being performed and she along with other officials informed Marihal Police and visited the spot and rescued the victim girl and produced before the District Child Welfare Committee and the Committee enquired her in detail and sent her to the Child Home, Savadatti. After her medical examination, they revealed that, she was pregnant and again she was sent before the Committee on