IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB & HARYANA AT CHANDIGARH

217 CRM-A-1115-2024 Date of decision: 08.09.2025 State of Punjab .....Applicant/Appellant Versus Gagandeep Singh .....Respondent CORAM: HON'BLE MRS. JUSTICE MANJARI NEHRU KAUL HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE H.S. GREWAL Present : Mr. Amit Rana, Sr. DAG, Punjab.

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MANJARI NEHRU KAUL, J.

1. The present leave to appeal is directed against the judgement dated 22.11.2023 passed by learned Additional Sessions Judge, Fast Track Special Court, Patiala, whereby the respondent- accused, Gagandeep Singh was acquitted of the charges framed against him under Sections 363, 366 and 376 of the IPC and Section 4 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012 (hereinafter referred to as 'POCSO Act'), in case FIR No.28 dated 07.02.2022 under Sections 363, 366-A and 376 of the IPC and Section 4 of the POCSO Act. The State of Punjab seeks setting aside of the acquittal and conviction of the respondent.

Prosecution Case

2. The prosecution case, briefly stated, is that on 07.02.2022 Feroze Khan lodged a complaint alleging that his minor daughter, aged about 16 years and studying in class 9th at Aggarsain International Public School, Samana had gone to t