IN THE HIGH COURT OF HIMACHAL PRADESH, SHIMLA Cr. MP(M) No. 2982 of 2025 Reserved on: 25.2.2026 Date of Decision: 05.3.2026.

Yogesh Kumar ….Petitioner Versus State of HP …. Respondent Coram Hon’ble Mr Justice Rakesh Kainthla, Judge.

Whether approved for reporting?¹ No.

For the Petitioner : Mr Lovneesh Thakur, Advocate.

For the Victim : Mr Rakesh Chaudhary, Advocate, Legal Aid Counsel For the Respondent/State : Mr Prashant Sen, Deputy Advocate General.

Rakesh Kainthla, Judge The petitioner has filed the present petition for seeking regular bail in FIR No. 47 of 2025, dated 15.11.2025, registered at Woman Police Station, Solan, District Solan, H.P., for the commission of an offence punishable under Section 8 of Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO) and

1 Whether reporters of Local Papers may be allowed to see the judgment? Yes.

Section 3(1)(w) of Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe, (Prevention of Atrocities Act) (SC & ST Act).

2. It has been asserted that, as per the prosecution, the victim made a complaint to the police that the petitioner had molested her. The police registered an FIR and investigated the matter. Subsequently, the victim’s maternal uncle made a statement