IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM PRESENT THE HONOURABLE MRS. JUSTICE SOPHY THOMAS TUESDAY, THE 6^TH DAY OF FEBRUARY 2024 / 17TH MAGHA, 1945 BAIL APPL. NO. 10873 OF 2023 CRIME NO.1253/2023 OF Kayamkulam Police Station, Alappuzha PETITIONER/ACCUSED:

SHAJI, AGED 68 YEARS S/O.VASU, MANIKKATHU HOUSE, PUTHUPPALLI, ALAPPUZHA, PIN - 690502 BY ADV M.R.SASITH RESPONDENT/COMPLAINANT:

STATE OF KERALA, REPRESENTED BY PUBLIC PROSECUTOR, HIGH COURT OF KERALA, PIN - 682031 OTHER PRESENT:

PP-SRI.PRASANTH M.P THIS BAIL APPLICATION HAVING COME UP FOR ADMISSION ON 06.02.2024, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING:

ORDER

This is an application for anticipatory bail under Section 438 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973, filed by the sole accused in Crime No.1253 of 2023 of Kayamkulam Police Station, Alappuzha District registered under Sections 354, 354A(1)(i), 354A(1)(ii), 354A(1)(iii), 354A(1)(iv), 354D(1)(ii) and 447 of IPC and Sections 7, 8, 11(i), 11(iv) and 12 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012 (POCSO Act).

2. The prosecution allegation is that, during the period from 1/1/2021 till 29/11/2023, the petitioner, who is a neighbour of the defacto complainant,