IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA, AT DHARWAD DATED THIS THE 10^TH DAY OF FEBRUARY, 2026 BEFORE THE HON'BLE MR JUSTICE MOHAMMAD NAWAZ AND THE HON'BLE MRS JUSTICE GEETHA K.B.

CRIMINAL APPEAL NO.100029 OF 2021 (C)

BETWEEN ADAVAYYA S/O. SHANKARAYYA PUJER, AGE: 32 YEARS, OCC: PIGMI AGENT, R/O. KADARAVALLI VILLAGE, TQ: KITTUR, DIST: BELAGAVI-591115.

...APPELLANT (BY SRI. K.L. PATIL, ADVOCATE)

AND

1. THE STATE OF KARNATAKA, THROUGH KITTUR POLICE STATION, DIST: BELAGAVI-591115, NOW REP. BY S.P.P., HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA, DHARWAD BENCH-580001.

2. MAHADEVI W/O. IRAPPA DIBBAD, AGE: 40 YEARS, OCC: HOUSEHOLD WORK, R/O. KADARVALLI, DHARENNAVAR ONI, TQ: KITTUR, DIST: BELAGAVI-591115.

IMPLEADED VIDE ORDER DATED 28/07/2025 …RESPONDENTS (BY SRI. M.B. GUNDAWADE, ADDITIONAL SPP FOR R1; SMT. SURABHI R. KULKARNI, AMICUS CURIAE FOR R2)

THIS CRIMINAL APPEAL IS FILED UNDER SECTION 374 (2)

OF CR.P.C. PRAYING TO CALL FOR RECORDS IN S.C.NO.377/2018 ON THE FILE OF THE SPL. COURT FOR POCSO AND SC/ST (POA) AND III ADDITIONAL DISTRICT AND SESSIONS JUDGE, BELAGAVI; ALLOW THIS APPEAL AND SET- ASIDE THE JUDGMENT AND ORDER OF CONVICTION DATED 05/02/2021 AND ORDER OF SENTENCE DATED 06/02/2021 IN SESSIONS CASE NO.377/2018 ON THE