The petitioners have filed this petition under Section 438 of Cr.P.C seeking anticipatory bail in the event of their arrest in Crime No.12/2024 registered for the offences punishable under Sections 366(A), 376(2)(n), 506 of IPC, Section 6 of POSCO Act and Section 3(1)(w)(i)(ii), 3(2)(v) of Scheduled Case and Scheduled Tribe (Prevention of Atrocities) Amendment Act, 2015. Pending on the file of the learned Additional District and Sessions Judge, FTSC-I, (POCSO) at Shivamogga.

2. The brief factual matrix of the case are that the first informant/victim was learning computer in Mice Computer Center at Sagar Town by traveling daily from her native place to Nandoddi Village. While so traveling, she became to acquainted with accused No.1, who is native of Siravanthe Village and is also friend of her brother. Gradually, intimacy was developed between them and thereafter, accused No.1 started to force her to love him and marry him. The victim resisted the said act under the guise that they belong to different caste.

3. According to the prosecution, on 11.09.2023 at about 9.00 a.m., while victim was proceeding to attend the computer class, accused No.1 came in his car and under the guis