JUDGMENT :

Ritu Bahri, C.J.

The present Reference has been sent by the Court of Additional Sessions Judge / FTC / Special Judge (POCSO), Udham Singh Nagar, under Section 366 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973, for affirmation of the sentence of death awarded by said court against the convict Harswroop under Section 302 IPC. Aforesaid convict has been further convicted under Section 364 IPC and sentenced to rigorous imprisonment for a period of seven years and also directed to pay fine of Rs. 5,000/-. He was also convicted under Section 201 IPC, and sentenced to rigorous imprisonment for a period of six years and directed to pay fine of Rs. 5,000/-. The convict was further sentenced under Section 6 of the POCO Act, and sentenced to imprisonment for life along with a fine of Rs.10,000/-. Convicts Pappu and Roopwati were, however, acquitted of the charge of offence punishable under Section 16 /17 POCSO Act. Convict Pappu and Roopwati were both convicted under Section 201 IPC, and sentenced to rigorous imprisonment for a period of four years and three years, respectively, along with a fine of Rs. 5,000/- each, vide judgment and order dated 06.03.2021, passed by Additional Sessions