JUDGMENT

1. This petition is filed by the petitioner-accused No.1 under Section 438 of Cr.P.C., for granting anticipatory bail in Crime No.55/2022 registered by Gonibeedu police station, Chikkamagaluru district for the offences punishable under Sections 448, 354(A)(2) and 506 read with Section 18 of POCSO Act.

2. Heard the arguments of learned counsel for petitioner and learned High Court Government Pleader for respondent No.1. Respondent No.2 served and unrepresented.

3. The case of the prosecution is that on the complaint of the mother of the victim-respondent No.2 herein, complaint came to be filed on 04.06.2022 alleging that her daughter aged about 13 years was found dull and on questioning she has revealed that on 04.05.2022 at 12.30 p.m. when her mother and other family members were out of the house and she was alone in the house, at that time this petitioner entered the house and said to have dragged the victim girl by holding hands and when she raised the alarm, he went away by threatening her not to disclose to anybody. After registering the case, the police are making hectic effort to arrest this petitioner. He has approached the Sessions Judge for granting anticipatory bail