O R D E R

This is an application for bail filed under Section 439 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973.

2. The petitioner is the 8th accused in Crime No.58 of 2024 of Melparamba Police Station. He allegedly had committed the offences punishable under Section 120B, 364A, 342, 323, 506(1), 384 and 389 read with 34 of Indian Penal Code 1860.

3. Heard the learned counsel for the petitioner and the learned Public Prosecutor.

4. The prosecution allegation are the following:- The 3rd accused, after establishing acquaintance with the defacto complainant, assured that a laptop could be purchased for him at her intervention. On that pretext, on 25.01.2024, she took the defacto complainant to Mangalapuram. After brnging him to a hotel at Mangalapuram, snapped his nude photos and making use of the photographs, the accused persons threatened him that a prosecution will be initiated against with the allegation that he committed rape on the 3rd accused. On such threat and coercionm the accused extracted Rs.5 lakhs from the defacto complainant. During the course of investigation, complicity of the petitioner was revealed and he was added as the 8th accused.

5. The petitione would contend that he di