IN THE HIGH COURT OF HIMACHAL PRADESH, SHIMLA Cr. MP(M) No. : 2841 of 2025 Reserved on : 02.03.2026 Date of Decision H : 10.3.2026.

Rohit …. Petitioner Versus State of H.P. …. Respondent Coram Hon’ble Mr Justice Rakesh Kainthla, Vacation Judge.

Whether approved for reporting?¹ No For the Petitioner : Mr K.S. Gill, Advocate.

For the Respondent : Mr Lokender Kutlehria, Additional Advocate General.

Rakesh Kainthla, Judge The petitioner has filed the present petition for seeking regular bail in FIR No. 22 of 2024, dated 07.02.2024, registered at Police Station Paonta Sahib, District Sirmour, H.P., for the commission of offences punishable under Sections 363, 376 DA of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and Sections 4 and 6 of the

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

Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012 (POCSO Act).

2. It is asserted that the police had arrested the petitioner on 08.02.2024 based on false allegations. The matter is pending before the learned Trial Court ffor about 20 months, and only a few prosecution witnesses have been examined. The matter was listed for recording the statement of the prosecution’s witnesses on 18.12.2025. Th