IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA,AT DHARWAD DATED THIS THE 29^TH DAY OF APRIL, 2026 PRESENT THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE H.P.SANDESH AND THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE B. MURALIDHARA PAI CRIMINAL APPEAL NO.100087 OF 2023 (C)

BETWEEN:

AKBAR @ SUBANI S/O. ABDUL RAHIM, @ BABAJAN HALBHAVI, AGE: 23 YEARS, OCC. COOLIE, R/O. JANATHA PLATA, NIRMAL NAGAR, DANDELI, DIST. KARWAR.

…APPELLANT (BY SRI. HARSHAWARDHAN M. PATIL, ADVOCATE)

AND:

1. THE STATE OF KARNATAKA, R/BY. DANDELI POLICE STATION, R/BY. THE STATE PUBLIC PROSECUTOR, HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA, DHARWAD BENCH, DHARWAD.

Digitally

2. KOMAL SUBHAS BHAVIMANI, signed by VINAYAKA AGE: MAJOR, OCC. HOUSEHOLD, VINAYAKA B V B V Date: R/O. BAMBECHAL, DANDELI, UTTARA KANNADA.

20 26.04.30 …RESPONDENTS

12:19:45 +0530 (BY SRI. M.B. GUNDAWADE, ADDITIONAL SPP FOR R1;

SRI. SABEEL AHMED, AMICUS CURIAE FOR R2)

THIS CRIMINAL APPEAL IS FILED UNDER SECTION 374(2) OF CR.P.C. SEEKING TO SET ASIDE THE JUDGMENT OF CONVICTION AND ORDER OF SENTENCE PASSED BY THE ADDL. DISTRICT AND SESSIONS JUDGE FTSC-1 U.K. KARWAR (SPECIAL COURT FOR TRIAL OF CASES FILED UNDER POCSO) ACT IN SPL CASE NO. 88/2019 DATED 24.08.2022 AND 25.08.2022 AND ACQUIT THE APPELLANT FOR THE CHARGES LEVELED AND ORDER OF CON