J U D G M E N T

This appeal has been filed challenging the conviction and sentence imposed on the appellant/accused in S.C.No.489/2014 on the file of the First Additional District and Sessions Court, Kollam. S.C.No.489/2014 arises out of Crime No.1441/2013 of Sooranad Police Station, Kollam District, which was registered alleging commission of offences under Section 376 of the Indian Penal Code (hereinafter referred to as the ‘ IPC ’) and Section 3 (a) r/w Section 4 and Section 5 (n) r/w Section 6 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act , 2012 (hereinafter referred to as the ‘POCSO Act’).

2. The allegation, which led to the registration of Crime No.1441/2013 at the Sooranad Police Station, is that the accused, who is the son of the maternal uncle of the victim, sexually assaulted and committed rape on the minor victim on 04-09-2013 at about 12:30 p.m., and thereby he committed the of