JUDGMENT

Aggrieved by the Judgment dated 05.02.2020 passed by the learned I Additional Metropolitan Sessions Judge-cum-Special Judge for trial of Cases under Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, Hyderabad in S.C.P.C.S.No.30 of 2019, the present Criminal Appeal is filed.

2. Heard Sri Apurva M Gokhale, learned counsel appearing on behalf of the appellant as well as Smt. Shalini Sakena, learned Assistant Public Prosecutor appearing on behalf of the respondent.

3. The trial Court convicted and sentenced the appellant/accused for the offence punishable under Sections 354- A and 506 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860 (for short ‘the IPC’) and Section 9(m) read with Section 10 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012 (for short ‘the POCSO Act’) and he was imposed seven years rigorous imprisonment and to pay fine of Rs.1,000/- and in default of payment of fine amount, he has to undergo simple imprisonment for a period of three (3) months for the offence punishable under Section 506 of IPC.

4. Aggrieved by the said conviction and sentence, the present appeal is preferred by the appellant stating that the Judgment of the learned Sessions Judge is contrary to the e