JUDGMENT :

Mohan M. Shantanagoudar, J.

Leave granted in SLP (Crl.) Nos. 541617/2015.

2. The instant appeals have been filed against the final common judgment and order dated 16.02.2015 of the High Court of Bombay in Confirmation Case No. 3 of 2014 with Criminal Appeal No. 760 of 2014 whereby the learned High Court confirmed the death sentence awarded to the appellant herein.

By the impugned judgment, the High Court dismissed the aforementioned confirmation case and criminal appeal arising out of the judgment and order of conviction and sentence dated 25.06.2014 of the Additional Sessions Judge, Mangaon, Raigad, in Sessions Case No. 8 of 2013. The Sessions Court had convicted the appellant Viran Gyanlal Rajput for the offences punishable under Sections 302 and 201 of the Indian Penal Code, and under Sections 10 and 4 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012 (“POCSO Act”) for the kidnapping, rape and murder of a 13yearold girl, and causing disappearance of evidence. The appellant was sentenced to death for the offence under S. 302, IPC; R.I. for 10 years and a fine of Rs. 200 (1 year’s R.I. in default) under S. 366, IPC; R.I. for 7 years and a fine of Rs. 200 (1 year’