IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS DATED: 18.02.2026 CORAM THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE SUNDER MOHAN Elangovan ..Appellant/Sole Accused Vs.

The State Rep. By its The Inspector of Police, Avinasi All Women Police Station, Crime No.5 of 2022. ..Respondent Prayer: Criminal Appeal filed under Section 374(2) of Cr.P.C., to set aside the conviction and sentence against the appellant in Spl.S.C.No.87 of 2022 on the file of the learned Sessions Judge, Magalir Neethi Mandaram (Fast Track Mahila Court), Tiruppur dated 30.01.2023 and allow this appeal.

For Appellant :: Mr.B.Shruthan For Respondent :: Mr.S.Raja Kumar Additional Public Prosecutor

J U D G M E N T

The appeal challenges the conviction and sentence imposed on the appellant for the offences under Section 376 AB of IPC and under Section 5(i) r/w 6(1) of the POCSO Act.

2.(i) The case of the prosecution is that the appellant is known to the victim girl aged about 2 years; that when the victim girl was playing in the room of the appellant, the appellant had removed the undergarment of the victim girl and had inserted his finger in the private part of the victim girl and thus committed the offences under Section 5(m) r/w 6 of the POCSO