JUDGMENT/ORDER

1. Vide order dtd. 16/6/2022, the Appeal was Admitted and accordingly, records and proceedings were called. After the preparation of the paper book, the matter was placed for arguments.

2. Heard learned Counsel Mr. P.V. Sawaikar appearing on a legal aid basis for the Appellant/Accused and the learned Additional Public Prosecutor, Mr. Faldessai for the State.

3. The Appellant was chargesheeted for the offence punishable under Ss. 376 and 506 (ii) of IPC and accordingly, was tried before the learned Additional Sessions Court. After the completion of the trial, the learned Additional Sessions Judge found the accused guilty for the offence punishable under Sec. 376 and 506 (ii) of IPC. After hearing the accused on the point of sentence, he has been sentenced to undergo rigorous imprisonment for ten years and to pay a fine of Rs.20, 000.00 for the offence punishable under Sec. 376 of IPC and to undergo rigorous imprisonment for a period of one year for the offence punishable under Sec. 506(ii) of IPC.

4. Being aggrieved by such conviction and sentence, the present Appeal is filed on various grounds as set out in the memo of Appeal.

5. The Appellant/Accused is the stepfathe