JUDGMENT :

(Prayer: Criminal Appeal filed under Section 374(2) of the Code of Criminal Procedure against the judgement and order dated 25.09.2017 in S.C.No.31 of 2016 on the file of the Sessions Judge, Mahalir Neethimandram (Fast Track Mahila Court), Thoothukudi.)

1. This criminal appeal has been filed against the judgment and order dated 25.09.2017 in S.C.No.31 of 2016 passed by the Sessions Judge, Mahalir Neethimandram (Fast Track Mahila Court), Thoothukudi, in and by which, the appellant was convicted for the offences punishable under Section 9(m) read with Section 10 of Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act and sentenced as under: Section of Law Sentence of imprisonment Fine amount Section 9(m) r/w Section 10 of POCSO Act Rigorous Imprisonment for five years Rs.1,000/- in default, to undergo Rigorous imprisonment for three months. The period of sentence already undergone by the appellant was ordered to be set off under Section 428 of Cr.P.C.

2. Challenging the said conviction and sentence, the appellant has come up with this Criminal Appeal.

3. When the matter was taken up for hearing on 04.03.2024, there was no representation for the appellant. Hence, Mr.C.Jeganathan, A