Sri Abhilash @ Abhi v. the State of Karnataka
Case brief
What is this about?
Karnataka HC (S Rachaiiah, J., 12.11.2025) allowed CRL.A Nos. 1957, 1156 and 1276 of 2024 by accused Nos.1-3 (Krishna S., Abhilash @ Abhi, Yathish Kumar @ Yatish) against common conviction/sentence dated 01.06.2024/03.06.2024 in Spl.C.C.No.909/2019 (FTSC-V Bengaluru) for offences under Ss.366(A), 376(D) IPC r/w S.34 IPC, S.67(B)(E) IT Act and Ss.5(g), 6, 14 POCSO Act; acquittal ordered. Key search points: determination of victim's age under Section 94 JJ Act (school transfer-type certificate insufficient; ossification/medical test absent; P. Yuvaprakash v. State, 2023 SCC Online SC 846 applied); evidentiary value of sole witness/prosecutrix testimony (sterling quality standard); contradictions between complaint, S.164 Cr.P.C. statement and trial deposition; benefit of doubt on minority.
What did the court decide?
All three criminal appeals allowed; judgment of conviction dated 01.06.2024 and order on sentence dated 03.06.2024 in Spl.C.C.No.909/2019 set aside; appellants/accused Nos.1 to 3 acquitted; bail bonds cancelled; Registry to communicate order to jail authorities forthwith; Superintendent of Jail, Central Prison, Parappana Agrahara directed to release the appellants if not required in any other cases.