ORDER

% 21.08.2025

1. The present appeal is filed challenging the judgment dated 15.02.2025 (hereafter ‘impugned judgment’) and the order on sentence dated 17.03.2025 (hereafter ‘impugned order on sentence’), passed by the learned Trial Court in Sessions Case No. 261/2019 arising out of FIR No. 562/2015 registered at Police Station Bhajan Pura.

2. By the impugned judgment, the learned Trial Court convicted the appellant for the offences under Section 12 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012 (‘POCSO Act’) and Sections 354A, 354D and 506 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860 (‘IPC’).

3. By the impugned order on sentence, the appellant was sentenced to undergo rigorous imprisonment for a period of 3 months and to pay a fine of ₹20,000/- for the offence under Section 12 of POCSO Act, and in default of payment of fine, to undergo rigorous imprisonment for a period of 10 days. For the offence under Section 506 of the IPC, the appellant was sentenced to undergo rigorous imprisonment for a period of 3 months. Both the sentences were directed to run concurrently.

4. It is the case of the prosecution that the victim, who was studying in 10th class, used to go to school by bus and