CORAM: HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE MOHIT KUMAR SHAH and HONOURABLE JUSTICE SMT. SONI SHRIVASTAVA ORAL ORDER (Per: HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE MOHIT KUMAR SHAH)

8 01-12-2025 Heard the learned counsel for the appellant, Ms. Priya as also the learned APP for the State, Ms. Shashibala Verma and the learned Amicus Curiae, Ms. Aditi Sharma.

2. The present appeal has been preferred against the judgment of conviction and the order of sentence dated 29.10.2024 and 30.10.2024 respectively passed by the learned Additional Sessions Judge-VI-cum-Special Judge POCSO Act, Patna in Special POCSO Case No. 7 of 2018 (arising out of Pandarak P.S. Case No. 68 of 2017) whereby and whereunder the appellant has been convicted under Section 376 D of the Indian Penal Code (hereinafter referred to as the ‘I.P.C.’) and Section 6 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act , 2012 (hereinafter referred to as the ‘POCSO Act, 2012’) and he has been sentenced to undergo rigorous imprisonment for 20 years under Section 376 D of the I.P.C. with fine of Rs. 25,000/- and in the event of non-deposit of the same, the appellant had been further directed to undergo one-year simple imprisonment. No separate sentence has