JUDGMENT

This Criminal Appeal has been filed as against the order dated 09.09.2022 passed by the learned Sessions Judge, Fast Track Mahila Court, Dharmapuri, made in Special S.C.No.16 of 2016, thereby convicting the appellant for the offences punishable under Sections 9 (c)(f)(m) r/w 10 (1 count) of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (hereinafter referred to as “the POCSO Act”).

2. The case of the prosecution is that on the complaint lodged by the victim, the Block Elementary Educational Officer conducted enquiry and on the basis of the enquiry report, the respondent registered the FIR in Crime No.3 of 2016 for the offences punishable under Sections 7 & 8 of the POCSO Act, alleging that the Headmaster of the Mukkulam Panchayat Union Primary School, Dharmapuri District, committed sexual assault on the minor victim girls who are studying third and fourth standard by kissing them and touching their