JUDGMENT

Anupinder Singh Grewal, J —The appeal is directed against the judgment dated 08.07.2014 whereby the appellant has been convicted under Section 10 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012 (hereinafter referred to as 'the POCSO Act'). He was sentenced on 09.07.2014 to rigorous imprisonment for a period of 05 years and to pay a fine of Rs. 20,000/-.

2. It is the case of the prosecution that at around 08:05 p.m. on 15.02.2014, a telephonic message was received at Police Station Woman Sonipat from Police Station Kharkhoda, District Sonipat that the prosecutrix had been brought by her aunt through the Delhi police at Police Station Kharkhoda. She had alleged commission of rape upon her by her father, who was also stated to have been present at Police Station Kharkhoda. After receiving this information, a police party headed by SI/SHO Promila went to Police Station Kharkhoda whereat the statement of the prosecutrix was recorded. She had stated that she was born on 25.03.2002 and was studying in Class VI at a private school at Bawana. As her mother had left matrimonial house around 5-6 years back she was residing with her aunt at Bawana. Around one and a half ye