IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA AT BENGALURU DATED THIS THE 17^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.2439 OF 2025 (A)

BETWEEN:

THE STATE OF KARNATAKA BY BANTWAL TOWN POLICE STATION D.K. MANGALURU DISTRICT REPRESENTED BY THE STATE PUBLIC PROSECUTOR HIGH COURT BUILDING BENGALURU - 560 001.

…APPELLANT (BY SMT. RASHMI PATEL, H.C.G.P.)

AND:

1. MOHAMMED TANSIF AGE: 23 YEARS S/O. BADRUDDIN RESIDENT OF 12-37(2)

NIRALKE HOUSE Digitally KODANGALLU POST, KALLABETTU VILLAGE signed by ANJALI M MOODABIDRE TALUK Location: D.K. DISTRICT.

High Court of Karnataka 2. RAJIYA AGE: 37 YEARS OLD W/O. ASLAM PASHA RESIDENT OF GANJI MATHA MOGARU VILLAGE.

ALSO RESIDING AT 9-69/2 KUKKATTE SITE HOUSE, MANGALORE TALUK DAKSHINA KANNADA-574 230.

…RESPONDENTS * * *

THIS CRIMINAL APPEAL IS FILED UNDER SECTION 378 (1)

AND (3) OF THE CR.P.C., PRAYING TO SET ASIDE THE JUDGMENT AND ORDER OF ACQUITTAL DATED 23-11-2024 PASSED IN SPECIAL CASE NO.58 OF 2024 ON THE COURT OF THE ADDITIONAL DISTRICT AND SESSIONS JUDGE (POCSO), AT D.K., MANGALURU, THEREBY ACQUITTING RESPONDENT NO.1/ACCUSED FOR THE OFFENCES PUNISHABLE UNDER SECTION 354A, 376(2)(h)