JUDGMENT

Anand Byrareddy, J : Heard the learned Counsel for the appellant and the learned Government Pleader.

2. The appellant was the accused before the Trial Court in the following background:

Lakshmi, the daughter of Pomanna and Shankaramma, had alleged that she along with her parents, were residents of Alkot Tanda, within the limits of Jalahalli Police Station, in Devadurga Taluk. The appellant was the resident of A.G. Colony and was related to Lakshmi. A.G Colony was about 2 kms from Alkot Tanda. It is claimed that during July 2006, Lakshmi was aged about 19 and during that time, her parents had gone in search of work to Pune and had left Lakshmi behind with two young children of Lakshmi’s brother who, along with his wife, had also accompanied the parents of Lakshmi in search of work, to Pune. Therefore, when Lakshmi was living alone with the two children, who were school-going, she was taking care of the house as well as the cattle her family was rearing. It is claimed that on 19.10.2006, when she was herding cattle near one Yellammakatte, the appellant had come in his autorickshaw and had stopped very near her. When she questioned him as to why he was trying to almost run ov