IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA AT BENGALURU DATED THIS THE 15^TH DAY OF APRIL, 2026 PRESENT THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE MOHAMMAD NAWAZ AND THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE VENKATESH NAIK T CRIMINAL APPEAL NO. 65 OF 2026 (A)

BETWEEN:

THE STATE BY VENURU POLICE STATION, REPRESENTED BY THE STATE PUBLIC PROSECUTOR, HIGH COURT BUILDING, BENGALURU-560 001.

…APPELLANT (BY SMT. RASHMI PATEL, HCGP)

AND: Digitally

1. SRI. SANDESH signed by LAKSHMI T S/O RONI, Location:

High Court AGED ABOUT 25 YEARS, of Karnataka R/AT THUMBEGUDDE HOUSE, NARAVI VILLAGE, BELTHANGADY TALUK, DAKSHINA KANNADA DISTRICT-574 211.

2. SMT. RATHNA W/O LATE CHANDAPPA, AGED ABOUT 40 YEARS, OCCUPATION: KOOLI, R/AT NARAVI GRAMA, BELTHANGADI TALUK-574 211.

…RESPONDENTS THIS CRL.A IS FILED U/S 378(1)(3) OF CR.P.C PRAYING TO: (A) GRANT LEAVE TO APPEAL AGAINST THE JUDGMENT AND ORDER DATED 26.10.2024 IN THE COURT OF THE ADDL. DISTRICT AND SESSIONS JUDGE/FTSC-II, (POCSO), D.K., MANGALURU THEREBY ACQUITTING THE ACCUSED/RESPONDENT FOR THE OFFENCES PUNISHABLE UNDER SECTIONS 376(2) OF IPC & 6 OF THE POCSO ACT, 2012; (B) SET ASIDE THE IMPUGNED JUDGMENT AND ORDER DATED 26.10.2024 IN SPL.C.NO.98/2023 PASSED BY THE ADDL. DISTRICT AND SESSIONS JUDGE/FTSC-II,