2026:MHC:441 IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS DATED : 29-01-2026 CORAM THE HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE SUNDER MOHAN CRL A No.200 of 2023 Mathiazhagan S/o.Manickam, No.3/53, Polachivalam, Koppampudhur Post, Mettur Taluk, Salem District.

..Appellant/Sole Accused Vs State Rep. by Inspector of Police, All Women Police Station Mettur, Salem District.

(Crime No.1/2020)

...Respondent/Complainant Prayer : Criminal Appeal filed under Section 374(2) of Criminal Procedure Code to set aside the Judgement and sentence passed in Spl.S.C.No.24 of 2020 dated 30.08.2020, on the file of Sessions Judge, Principal POCSO Court, Salem and acquit the Appellant.

For Appellant : M/S.Philip Ravindran Jesudoss For Respondent: Mr.S.Raja Kumar Additional Public Prosecutor

JUDGMENT

This criminal appeal has been filed by the sole accused, challenging the Judgment dated 30.08.2020 in Spl.S.C.No.24 of 2020, on the file of the learned Sessions Judge, Principal POCSO Court, Salem, by which he was convicted for the offence under Section 9(m) r/w 10 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012 (hereinafter referred to as the “POCSO Act”) and sentenced him to undergo rigorous imprisonment for 7 years along w