R IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA AT BENGALURU DATED THIS THE 27^TH DAY OF FEBRUARY, 2026 BEFORE THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE G BASAVARAJA CRIMINAL APPEAL NO.1357 OF 2024 BETWEEN:

RAMACHANDRA S/O. THIMMAIAH, AGED ABOUT 31 YEARS, AUTORICKSHAW DRIVER R/O RATHNASANDRA-GOLLARAHATTI, KASABA HOBLI, TALUKA SIRA, DISTRICT TUMKUR-572 137.

...APPELLANT (BY SRI. HASHMATH PASHA, SENIOR COUNSEL FOR SRI. NITYANAND V. NAIK, ADV.)

AND:

1. THE STATE OF KARNATAKA REP. BY SUB INSPECTOR OF POLICE, KALLAMBELLA POLICE STATION, TALUKA SIRA, DISTRICT TUMKUR REPRESENTED BY STATE PUBLIC PROSECUTOR, HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA, BANGALORE. 560 001

2. VICTIM GIRL, RESENTED BY FATHER LINGAPPA S/O DYAMAPPA, 68 YEARS, R/O RATHNASANDRA-GOLLARAHATTI, KASABA HOBLI, TALUKA SIRA, DISTRICT TUMKUR-572 137.

…RESPONDENTS (BY SRI. B. LAKSHMAN, HCGP FOR R1, SRI. RAJATH H.V., ADV. FOR R2.)

THIS CRL.A IS FILED U/S 374(2) CR.PC PRAYING TO SETTING ASIDE THE IMPUGNED JUDGMENT OF CONVICTION DATED 03.12.2022 AND ORDER OF SENTENCE DATED 19.12.2022 IN SPL.C.NO.206/2020 PASSED BY THE LEARNED ADDL. DIST. AND SESSIONS JUDGE, (FAST TRACK SPECIAL COURT-I) TUMAKURU AND BY ACQUITTING HIM OF THE OFFENCE P/U/S 6 OF PROTECTION OF CHILDREN FROM SEXUAL OFFENCES