IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA AT BENGALURU DATED THIS THE 6^TH DAY OF MARCH, 2026 BEFORE THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE M.G.S. KAMAL CRIMINAL APPEAL NO. 1279 OF 2023 (C)

BETWEEN:

KUMARA S/O SHESHAPPA GOWDA AGED ABOUT 31 YEARS R/AT DEVUKUDRU HOUSE ASHWATHPURA POST THENKA MIJARU VILLAGE MOODABIDRE TALUK D K DISTRICT - 574 227.

…APPELLANT (BY SRI. PRATHEEP K C.,ADVOCATE)

AND:

1. STATE OF KARNATAKA STATE BY MOODABIDRE POLICE REP BY ITS STATE PUBLIC PROSECUTOR HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA Digitally signed BANGALORE - 560 001.

by SUMA B N Location: HIGH COURT OF 2. SMT. MEENAKSHI KARNATAKA W/O LATE GOPALA GOWDA AGED ABOUT 43 YEARS R/AT DEVAKUDRU MANE THENKAMIJARU VILLAGE ASHWATHPURA POST MUDABIDRE TALUK D K DISTRICT -560 056.

…RESPONDENTS (BY SRI. VINAY MAHADEVAIAH., HCGP FOR R1;

SMT. G.M. SUMITHRA., ADVOCATE FOR R2)

THIS CRIMINAL APPEAL IS FILED U/S.374(2) CR.P.C PRAYING TO SET ASIDE THE JUDGMENT DATED 26.12.2022 ON THE FILE OF THE ADDL.DISTRICT AND SESSIONS JUDGE, / FTSC II (POCSO) D.K., MANGALURU IN SPL.C.NO.176/2021, CONVICTING THE APPELLANT/ACCUSED FOR THE OFFENCE P/U/S 4 OF THE POCSO ACT R/W SEC.341,506 OF THE IPC.

THIS APPEAL, COMING ON FOR FINAL HEARING, THIS DAY, JUDGMENT WAS DELIVERED THEREIN AS UND