ORDER

The concurrent verdicts of the Judicial First Class Magistrate Court-I, Mananthavady, and the Additional Sessions Court (Adhoc), Kalpetta, convicting the petitioner for the commission of offence under Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860 , are under challenge in this revision petition. The petitioner was sentenced to undergo Simple Imprisonment for two years by the Trial Court. In the appeal, the learned Additional Sessions Judge, confirmed the conviction, but reduced the Simple Imprisonment to six months. Aggrieved by the above verdicts of the courts below, the petitioner is here before this Court with this revision petition.

2. Heard the learned counsel for the petitioner and the learned Public Prosecutor representing the State of Kerala.

3. The prosecution case pertains to the continuous act of carnal intercourse against the order of nature perpetrated upon a boy studying in fifth standard from April-2002 to 17.10.2003 at the instance of the petitioner herein. Though initially, three other persons were also charged with the commission of the aforesaid offence, the Trial Court acquitted all others except the petitioner herein. The learned Magistrate had relied on the