2024:BHC-NAG:11541 IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY NAGPUR BENCH, NAGPUR.

CRIMINAL APPEAL (APEAL) NO. 196 OF 2022 Chetan Kailas Vaidya, Aged about 25 yrs, R/o. Shivar, Bhandari, Tahsil Arni, District Yavatmal .... APPELLANT // V E R S U S //

1. State of Maharashtra, Through Police Station Officer, Police Station Ghatanji Tahsil Arni, District Yavatmal.

2. XYZ, The Victim in Crime No. 06 of 2019 Registered at Police Station Ghatanji, Tahsil Arni, District Yavatmal ... RESPONDENTS ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ms Sapana Jadhav, Advocate for the appellant Mr Harshal Futane, APP for the respondent No.1/State Ms Priyanka Arbat (Awthale), Advocate (appointed) for respondent No.2 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

CORAM : G. A. SANAP, J.

DATE : 03/10/2024 O R A L J U D G M E N T :

1 Heard.

2 ADMIT. Taken up for final disposal by the consent of learned Advocates for the parties.

3 In this appeal, challenge is to the judgment and order, dated 25.02.2022, passed by the learned Additional Sessions Judge, [Special Court (POCSO Act)] Yavatmal (for short ‘the learned Judge