RAJA VIJAYARAGHAVAN V., J.

1. This petition under Section 482 of the Cr.P.C has been preferred by the State assailing the order dated 27.11.2018 passed by the learned Additional Sessions Judge For the Trial of Cases relating to Atrocities and Sexual Violence Towards Women and Children, Kozhikode. By the said order, the respondent herein, who was arrayed as the sole accused in Crime No.724 of 2018 of the Kunnamangalam Police Station was granted an order of anticipatory bail. What is of some relevance is that in the said crime, the respondent was accused of having committed offence punishable under Section 3(c) r/w. Sections 4 and 5 (l) r/w Section 6 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012 (“POCSO Act, 2012” for the sake of brevity), for abusing a minor boy aged 13 years.

2. Before adverting to the relevant facts of this case, it needs to be mentioned that the instant crime is one in a series of three crimes registered at the instance of the minor child. Similar allegations have been raised against a certain Ali and another man by name Sainudheen @ Kuttukka by the child. These men, like the respondent herein, are residents of the same neighbourhood and known