JUDGMENT :

This Criminal Appeal has been filed against the Judgment dated 08.01.2018 made in Spl.S.C.No.25 of 2016 on the file of the Magalir Neethimandram (Fast Track Mahila Court), Tiruppur.

2. The respondent police registered a case in Crime No.168 of 2016 against the appellant for offence under Section 7 r/w 8 of 'The Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012' [hereinafter 'POCSO Act' for the sake of convenience]. After investigation, a charge sheet was laid before the learned Sessions Judge, Magalir Neethimandram, (Fast Track Mahila Court), Tiruppur, since the offence is against a woman especially child. The learned Sessions Judge, after completing the formalities, taken the case on file in Spl.S.C.No.25 of 2016 and framed charge against the appellant for offence under Section 7 r/w 8 of POCSO Act. On completion of trial, the trial Court found the appellant guilty for the offence under Section 7 r/w 8 of POCSO Act and sentenced him to undergo rigorous imprisonment for five years and to pay a fine of Rs.10,000/-; in default to undergo Rigorous imprisonment for one year. Aggrieved by the said judgment of conviction and sentence, the appellant/accused has filed the pres