$~1 * IN THE HIGH COURT OF DELHI AT NEW DELHI % Date of Decision: 24.03.2026 + BAIL APPLN. 967/2024 ANIL YADAV .....Petitioner Through: Mr. Bibek Tripathi and Mr. Ajay Kr.

Srivastava, Advocates.

versus STATE OF NCT OF DELHI .....Respondent Through: Mr. Sanjeev Sabharwal, APP with Inspector Bhoopender Kumar and SI Sweety Malik, PS Paharganj.

Ms. Astha, DHCLSC (through videoconferencing) and Ms. Megha Singh, Advocate for prosecutrix.

CORAM: JUSTICE GIRISH KATHPALIA J U D G M E N T (ORAL)

1. The accused/applicant seeks regular bail in case FIR No. 394/2021 of PS Paharganj for offence under Section 366/323/342/376(3) IPC and Section

6 POCSO Act.

1.1 This bail application came up for the first hearing on 18.03.2024 before the predecessor bench and thereafter continued getting adjourned before different benches. Along with 179 such old pending bail applications, this application also was transferred to this bench.

1.2 Today is the first effective hearing before me.

2. I have heard learned counsel for accused/applicant and learned APP for State assisted by IO/SI Sweety Malik. I have also heard learned counsel for prosecutrix.

3. Broadly speaking, the prosecution case is that the accused/applicant,