JUDGMENT :

This Criminal Appeal has been filed against the Judgment of conviction and sentence imposed by the learned Sessions Judge, Mahila Court (Mahalir Neethimandram), Chennai in S.C.No.30 of 2018.

2. The respondent Police have registered a case in Crime No.5 of 2016, for offence under Section 8 of Protection of Children from Sexual Offence Act, 2012 (Hereinafter referred to as 'POCSO Act') against the appellant on the complaint given by the mother (PW1) of the victim girl (PW4). After completing the investigation, the respondent Police laid a charge sheet before the learned Sessions Judge, Mahila Court (Mahalir Neethimandram), Chennai and same was taken on file in S.C.No.30 of 2018.

3. After completing the formalities under Section 207 Cr.P.C., since there was a prima facie material to frame charges against the appellant, the learned Sessions Judge farmed charges for offence punishable under Section 6 of POCSO Act.

4. After completing the trial and hearing the arguments advanced on either side and also considering the oral and documentary evidence, the learned Sessions Judge found guilt of the appellant for the offence punishable under Section 10 of POCSO Act and convicted and sen