JUDGMENT

B.A.Patil, J. - The appellant/accused is before this Court seeking the intervention in the judgment of conviction and order of sentence dated 03.02.2014/07.02.2014 passed by the Principal District and Sessions (Special) Judge, Dharwad in Special SC No.10/2013.

2. We have heard Sri. Rajesh M. Bilki and the learned AGA Sri. Shivaprabhu Hiremath, for the respondent-State by virtual hearing.

3. The gist of the case of the prosecution in brief is that, the complainant is the wife of the accused. Herself, her husband and the victim - the minor daughter aged about 9 years, used to stay at Gudenakatti village. It is further alleged that, the complainant got married to one Gurusiddappa and victim girl was born in the said wedlock. After some time Gurusiddappa deserted the complainant and her daughter and the complainant went to reside in her parental house at Navalgund. Accused was the nearest relative of the complainant and he offered to marry her and also agreed to treat the victim girl as her own daughter and the complainant got married with the accused and started to reside in Gudenakatti after marriage. The minor daughter has studied up to 3rd standard. Thereafter, the accused