ORAL JUDGMENT

(PER: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE VENKATESH NAIK T)

The appellant-State has filed this appeal under Section 378 (1) and (3) of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (hereinafter for brevity referred to as "Cr.P.C.") challenging the judgment of acquittal dated 15.03.2017 passed by the VI Additional District and Special Judge, Mysuru, (hereinafter for brevity referred to as the "trial Court") in Sessions Case No.343 of 2014 acquitting the accused-respondent No.1 of the offences punishable under Sections 366 and 376(2)(i)(n) of the Indian Penal Code, 1860 (hereinafter for brevity referred to as "IPC"), under Section 9 of the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006 (hereinafter for brevity referred to as "Prohibition of Child Marriage Act") and under Section 5(l) read with Section 6 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012 (hereinafter for brevity referred to as "POCSO Act").

2. The brief facts of the case of the prosecution are that on 11.06.2014 at about 1:45 p.m., respondent No.1-accused kidnapped PW1-victim girl, aged about 15 years, by inducing her, from the house bearing No.163, 14^th Cross, 5^th Main, Chinnagirikoppalu, Jayanagar, Mysuru, with intent to marry