Allahabad High Court (Nalin Kumar Srivastava, J.; order dated 5.4.2025; Neutral Citation 2025:AHC:57268), Criminal Appeal No. 10187 of 2024 under Section 14-A(2) SC/ST Act by Faraz against rejection of his bail application (order dt. 29.8.2024, Special Judge (POCSO Act), Court No.1, Moradabad) in case crime no. 144 of 2024, P.S. Kundarki, Dist. Moradabad, under Sections 363, 376 IPC, Section 3/4 POCSO Act and Section 3(2)(v) S.C./S.T. Act. Prosecution narrative: the informant's minor daughter went missing on 25.4.2024 while accompanying Pooja wife of Satpal to fetch medicine; chargesheet subsequently filed. Appellant's contentions: not named in the F.I.R. (lodged 10.5.2024, occurrence 25.4.2024, delay unexplained); victim not recovered from his possession; no independent witness; victim returned home herself; her s.161 Cr.P.C. statement recorded her age as about 22 years, described leaving home of her own free will on 16.4.2024, marriage between the two on 27.5.2024, pregnancy and desire to live with him; her s.164 Cr.P.C. statement put her age at about 15 years and described introduction by co-accused Pooja and consensual relations; ultrasound report showed nothing significant; material contradictions among the F.I.R. and the two statements; custody since 1.7.2024 with no criminal antecedents. Informant/State opposition: school register shows victim's date of birth as 1.1.2009 (minor on 25.4.2024, consent legally valueless even if given); she was enticed away, physical relations caused pregnancy and she has since delivered a child; appellant acted knowing her minority and S.C./S.T. community membership; ample evidence collected by the I.O. and chargesheet submitted. Holding: considering the facts and circumstances, the sufficient materials gathered during investigation, the chargesheet and the seriousness and gravity of the offence, the court found it not a fit case for bail, affirmed the rejection order dated 29.8.2024, found no ground for release, and dismissed the appeal.