JUDGMENT :

Prayer: Criminal Appeal filed under Section 374(2) of the Code of Criminal Procedure, against the judgment of conviction and sentence, dated 29.01.2016 passed in S.C.No.113 of 2013, by the learned Sessions Judge (Fast Track Mahila Court), Nagercoil, Kanyakumari District.

1. This appeal is directed against the conviction and sentence dated 29.01.2016, passed in S.C.No.113 of 2013, by the learned Sessions Judge (Fast Track Mahila Court), Kanyakumari District at Nagercoil.

2. The appellants are arrayed as Accused Nos.1 and 2 in the above referred case. The first accused stood charged for the offence under Sections 4, 7 and 8 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012 [hereinafter referred to as ''the POCSO Act'']. The second accused stood charged for the offence under Sections 294(b) and 506(i) IPC. The accused pleaded innocence and opted for trial. After full-fledged trial, the learned Sessions Judge (Fast Track Mahila Court), Kanyakumari District at Nagercoil, came to the conclusion that the first appellant/first accused is guilty of offence under Section 4 of the POCSO Act and convicted and sentenced to undergo rigorous imprisonment for seven years and to