- 1 - NC: 2025:KHC:10395 CRL.A No. 1109 of 2019 IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA AT BENGALURU DATED THIS THE 12TH DAY OF MARCH, 2025 BEFORE THE HON'BLE MR JUSTICE H.P.SANDESH CRIMINAL APPEAL NO. 1109 OF 2019 BETWEEN: 1. THE STATE OF KARNATAKA BY SUB-INSPECTOR OF POLICE BANTWAL RURAL POLICE STATION BANTWAL DISTRICT REPRESENTED BY STATE PUBLIC PROSECUTOR HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA BENGALURU-560001. …APPELLANT (BY SMT. RASHMI JADHAV, ADDL. SPP) AND: 1. MR. LAWRENCE @ MELWYN D’SOUZA @ JEEVAN @ SALMAN @ MOHAMMAD SALMAN S/O FRANCIS D’SOUZA AGED ABOUT 27 YEARS R/AT KANGITHOTE, ABBETTU MERAMAJALU VILLAGE BANTWAL TALUK-574211. …RESPONDENT (RESEPONDENT - SERVED) THIS CRIMINAL APPEAL IS FILED UNDER SECTION 378(1) AND (3) OF CR.P.C PRAYING TO GRANT LEAVE TO FILE AN APPEAL AGAINST THE JUDGEMENT AND ORDER OF ACQUITTAL DATED 19.11.2018 PASSED BY THE II ADDITIONAL DISTRICT AND SESSIONS (SPECIAL) JUDGE, D.K., MANGALURU IN SPECIAL CASE NO.42/2018 ACQUITTING THE RESPONDENT-ACCUSED FOR THE OFFENCE PUNISHABLE UNDER SECTION 354 OF IPC AND SECTION 12 OF POCSO ACT. Digitally signed by DEVIKA M Location: HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA - 2 - NC: 2025:KHC:10395 CRL.A No. 1109 of 2019 THIS APPEAL COMING ON FOR ORDERS THIS DAY, JUDGMENT WAS DELIVERED THEREIN AS UNDER: CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE H.P.SANDESH ORAL JUDGMENT This appeal is filed against the order of acquittal. This Court issued NBW against the respondent and now the Police have filed the report stating that respondent/accused passed away on 18.05.2023 and produced the death certificate. Having taken note of the same, the appeal is dismissed as abated. Sd/- (H.P.SANDESH) JUDGE RHS List No.: 1 Sl No.: 17