J U D G M E N T

This Criminal Appeal has been filed against the judgment dated

27.09.2021 passed in S.C.No.420 of 2018 by the learned Sessions Judge, Special Court for Exclusive Trial of Cases under POCSO Act, Chennai.

2.The case of the prosecution is that on 28.07.2018 at about 03.00 p.m when the victim child was playing outside the newly constructed building, which was situated at 1st Street, Salaima Nagar, the accused who was working as a watchman in that building pulled the hands of the victim child, hugged and attempted to kiss on her face. When the victim child tried to evade the same, the accused attempted to put his hand on her private parts. Thereby, he had attempted to commit sexual assault against the victim child, who was aged about 8 years. One neighbour/P.W.3, who witnessed the said incident had rescued the child and informed the same to P.W.2/mother of the victim child. Thereafter, P.W.2 filed a complaint/Ex.P1 against the accused.

3.The respondent police registered a case in Crime No.9 of 2018 against the appellant for the offence punishable under Section 8 of The Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012 [hereinafter referred to as 'POCSO Act' for the sake