JUDGMENT

This is an appeal filed under Section 14A of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989 (SC/ST Act), challenging the order dated 30-06-2025 in Crl.M.C No.891/2025 on the file of the Sessions Court, Kasaragod Division, through which an application for regular bail filed by the appellant was dismissed by that Court.

2. The appellant is the accused in Crime Nos.157/CB/KNR & KSD/R/25 of the Crime Branch Kannur & Kasaragod (originally registered against Crime No.44/2011 of Ambalathara Police Station, Kasaragod), which has been registered alleging commission of offences under Sections 366 and 376 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860, and Section 3(2)(v) of the SC/ST Act. A minor girl - M.C.Reshma (who belongs to an ST community) was missing from May 2010. The father of the missing girl had been continuously demanding a fair and thorough investigation into the case of his missing daughter. Based on the directions issued by a Division Bench of this Court, the investigation was entrusted to the Crime Branch. According to the prosecution, evidence was received during the investigation by the Crime Branch that the appellant had established a relationshi