IN THE SUPREME COURT OF INDIA CRIMINAL APPELLATE JURISDICTION CRIMINAL APPEAL NO. OF 2026 (@ Special Leave Petition (Crl.) No. 4329/2025)

NOUSHAD ...APPELLANT(S)

VERSUS STATE OF KERALA & ANR. ….RESPONDENT(S)

O R D E R

Leave granted.

This appeal challenges the order dated 21.03.2025 passed by the High Court of Kerala at Ernakulam in Bail Application No. 1777 of 2025.

Apprehending arrest in connection with the crime registered pursuant to FIR No. 1492 of 2024 dated 16.12.2024 at PS Aranmula, District Pathanamthitta in respect of the offences punishable under Sections 376(2)(j), 376(2)(n), 376(3), 377, 506 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860 [“IPC”, in short] and Sections 75 and Signature Not Verified

77 of Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Digitally signed by NEETU SACHDEVA Date: 2026.01.05 Reason:

Children) Act, 2015, and Sections 4(2), 3(a)(b), 6, 5(l)(p)(i), 7, 8, 9(l)(p), 10, 11(v), 12, 16, 17 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012, the appellant preferred an application before the High Court seeking anticipatory bail.

Said application for anticipatory bail having been rejected by the High Court vide impugned order dated

21.03.2025, the instant appeal has been pref