O R D E R

Heard Sri. Mahantesh H. Desai, learned counsel for the petitioner and Smt. Anitha M. Reddy, learned HCGP for respondent No.1-State.

Respondent No.2 is served and unrepresented.

2. This petition is filed by the accused under section 439 Cr.P.C. for grant of regular bail in Spl.C(POSCO).No.37/2023 on the file of learned Addl. District and Sessions Judge and FTC- I(POSCO), Kalaburagi for the offences punishable under sections 363, 376(3), 376(2) (N), 354(D), 343 and 506 IPC and sections 4, 6 and 12 of POCSO Act.

3. As per the contents of the charge sheet, the victim was aged about 16 years and residing with her mother. Prior to 17.05.2023, the accused being resident of Chunna Batti Area, Shahabad, used to follow the victim and talk to her. In the first week of October 2022, the complainant saw the accused speaking with the victim and the accused was advised accordingly. On 17.05.2023, at 7.15 p.m. as the victim was unwell, she had been to Government Hospital, Shahabad and while she was on her way near Hindi school, the accused came from behind in his motor cycle and saying her that he would show her Tirupathi temple, took her on his motorcycle to Railway station and from there