JUDGMENT :

This Criminal Appeal has been filed against the judgment of conviction and sentence, dated 23.05.2018, passed by the learned Sessions Judge, Mahila Court, Cuddalore, in Spl.S.C.No.19 of 2017.

2. The respondent Police have registered a case in Crime No.23 of 2016 against the appellant for the offences punishable under Section 4 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012 (“POCSO Act” for brevity), and Section 506(ii) IPC. After completing the investigation, they laid a charge-sheet before the Mahila Court, Cuddalore. Since the offence falls under POCSO Act, 2012, the learned Sessions Judge has taken the charge-sheet on file in Spl.S.C.No.19 of 2017.

3. After completing the formalities, the learned Sessions Judge framed charges against the appellant for the offences under Section 5(l) r/w. 6 of the POCSO Act and Section 506(ii) IPC.

4. After trial, the learned Sessions Judge convicted the appellant for the offences punishable under Section 6 of the POCSO Act and sentenced him to undergo Rigorous Imprisonment for a period of 10 years and to pay a fine of Rs.10,000/-, in default, to undergo Rigorous Imprisonment for a further period of one year, and also convict