JUDGMENT :

1. Heard Mr. Salil Saudagar, learned Counsel who has been appointed under Legal Aid Scheme to appear on behalf of the Appellant and Mr. Pravin Faldessai, learned Additional Public Prosecutor for the State.

2. This appeal is directed against the judgment and order dated 16.12.2016 made by the learned Children's Court for the State Of Goa in Special Case No. 54/2013 convicting the appellant-accused for offences under Section 376 and 506 of IPC, under Section 8(2) of the Goa Children's Act, 2003 and under Section 6 of Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012. Further, by the impugned judgment and order, the following sentences came to be imposed upon the accused:-

(a) Rigorous imprisonment for a term of one year for the offence punishable under Section 506 of IPC;

(b) Rigorous imprisonment for a term of 10 years and fine of 2 lakhs, and in default, imprisonment Rs. of 2 years for the offence punishable under Section 376 IPC, 8(2) of the Goa Children's Act, 2003 and Section 6 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012.

(c) The substantial sentences of imprisonment were directed to run concurrently and the accused was also entitled to the benefit und