JUDGMENT

S. Vishwajith Shetty, J.

Accused in Crime No.221/2023 registered by the Malur Police Station, Kolar district for the offence punishable under Ss. 376(2)(n) Sec. 6 of Protection Of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012 (for short, 'POCSO Act') and Sec. 9 of The Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006 is before this Court seeking regular bail.

2. Heard the learned counsel for the petitioner and learned High Court Government Pleader for respondent - State.

3. On the basis of statement made by the victim girl dtd. 10/6/2023, FIR in Crime No.221/2023 was registered by Malur Police Station against the petitioner for the aforesaid offences. In the complaint, it is averred that the complainant is aged about 17 years and she had studied up to I PUC. The complainant was acquainted with the petitioner, who is her distant relative and he had proposed to her to marry her. However, the complainant had not agreed for the same since she was still a minor. On the basis of a complaint filed to the Child Welfare Committee of Chikkaballapura, the complainant was summoned to the office for verification and she was asked to mark her attendance once in three months. Subsequently, the complainant