JUDGMENT

The hearing has been conducted through physical mode.

1. By this appeal, the appellant challenges the judgment of conviction dated 11th September, 2019 convicting him for offence punishable under Section 10 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012 (in short POCSO Act) and the order on sentence dated 17th September, 2019 directing him to undergo rigorous imprisonment for a period of six years and a fine of Rs.10,000/- for the said offence and in default whereof to undergo four months simple imprisonment.

2. Case of the prosecution against the appellant is based on the testimony of the victim who was a student of 5th standard and was aged 10 years at the time of alleged incident. The victim claims that on 18th February, 2017 at around 7.45 AM while she was going towards her school and her father PW-5 was walking 10-15 steps behind her, she took