IN THE HIGH COURT OF MADHYA PRADESH AT JABALPUR BEFORE HON'BLE SHRI JUSTICE RAJENDRA KUMAR VANI

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ON THE 23 OF JANUARY, 2026 CRIMINAL APPEAL No. 1197 of 2021 THE STATE OF MADHYA PRADESH Versus RANJEET @ ANJU KOL Appearance:

Shri Aditya Choubey, learned counsel for the appellant/State. Shri Vikesh Pratap Singh, learned counsel for the respondent.

ORDER Heard on I.A. No.1856/2026, which is an application for change in counsel on behalf of respondent.

2. For the reasons stated therein, I.A. No.1856/2026 is allowed.

3. The counsel is permitted to argue the matter on behalf of the respondent.

4. This appeal under Section 378 (3) of Cr.P.C. has been filed by the appellant/State assailing the judgment and order of acquittal dated 16.09.2019 passed in S.T. No.12/2017 (State of M.P. vs Ranjeet @ Anju Kol) by learned Special Judge (POCSO) District Katni (M.P.) whereby respondent - Ranjeet @ Anju Kol (hereinafter referred to as 'the accused') has been acquitted of the offence under Sections 354 of IPC and Section 7, 8 of the Protection of Children From Sexual Offence Act, 2012 (hereinafter referred to as 'the POCSO Act').

5. The prosecution story in brief is that on 05.03.2017 at about 5:00 pm, the