IN THE HIGH COURT OF HIMACHAL PRADESH AT SHIMLA Cr. Appeal No. 44 of 2021 Reserved on: 23.05.2025 Decided on: 30.05.2025 _____________________________________________________

Lekh Raj alias Dodu …..Appellant Versus State of Himachal Pradesh ……Respondent _________________________________________________________

Coram Hon'ble Mr. Justice Sushil Kukreja, Judge

1 Whether approved for reporting? Yes _____________________________________________________

For the appellant: Mr. Vikram Thakur, Advocate.

For the respondent: Mr.Pawan Kumar Nadda, Additional Advocate General with Ms.Sunaina, Deputy Advocate General.

Sushil Kukreja, Judge The instant appeal has been preferred by the appellant/

accused/convict (hereinafter referred to as the accused) under Section 374 read with Section 401 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (Cr.PC) against the judgment of conviction and order of sentence dated 16.01.2021, passed by learned Additional District & Sessions Judge, Fast Track Special Court, Solan, District Solan, H.P., in Sessions Trial No.47-S/7 of 2020/2015, whereby he was convicted under Sections 363, 366 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and Section 4 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act,