JUDGMENT :

This Criminal Appeal has been filed against the judgment of conviction and sentence, dated 23.04.2019, passed in S.C.No.306 of 2017 on the file of the Special Court for cases under POCSO Act, 2012/Mahila Court, Chennai – 600 104.

2. The respondent police registered a case against the appellant in Crime No.8 of 2016 for the offence punishable under Section 6 of the Prevention of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012 (“POCSO Act” for brevity). After the investigation, the respondent police laid a charge sheet before the Special Court for cases under POCSO Act, 2012/Mahila Court, Chennai. The learned Special Judge had taken the charge sheet on file in S.C.No.306 of 2017. After completing the formalities, the Special Judge framed a charge against the appellant for the offence punishable under Section 6 of the POCSO Act. After completing the trial and hearing the arguments advanced on either side, the Special Judge considered the materials and found the appellant guilty of the offence under Section 6 of the POCSO Act and convicted him and sentenced to undergo 10 years Rigorous Imprisonment with a fine of Rs.50,000/-, in default, to undergo further one year Rigorous Imprisonme