JUDGMENT :

This Criminal Appeal is filed challenging the judgment passed on 11.12.2018 in Spl.Sessions Case No.27/2018 on the file of Mahila Court, Cuddalore.

2. The respondent police registered the case against the appellant in Crime No.4/2018 for the offence under Section 6 of Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012 (hereinafter called as “POCSO Act”) Section 9 of Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006, Section 294(b) and 506(ii) of IPC. After investigation, the respondent police laid charge sheet before the learned Sessions Judge, Mahila Court, Cuddalore. The Mahila Court, after taking the case on file in Spl.S.C.No.27/2018, framed charges against the appellant for the offence under Section 6 of POCSO Act, Section 9 of Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, Section 294(b) and 506(ii) of IPC and the same have been read over and explained to the appellant/accused who denied the charges and claimed to be tried.

3. After framing charges, in order to prove the case, on the side of the Prosecution, P.Ws.1 to 9 have been examined, Exhibits P.1 to P.11 have been marked. When the appellant/accused has been questioned under Section 313 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 in r