O R D E R

1. Leave granted.

2. Heard learned counsel appearing for the appellant, learned counsel appearing for the State and learned counsel appearing for the second and third respondents.

3. The second respondent is the first informant at whose instance, a First Information Report was registered on 18^th September, 2016 for the offences punishable under Sections 354A, 363, 366, 376 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860 and Sections 3 and 4 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (for short, ‘POCSO Act’). The third respondent is the victim of the offence. As can be seen from the allegations in the First Information Report (FIR), the alleged incident is of September, 2016. In the FIR, the second respondent has alleged that the age of the Signature Not Vevrifiiedctim was 17 years.

Digitally signed by KAVITA PAHUJA Date: 2025.03.19 Reason:

4. Our attention was invited to the marriage certificate issued by the Registrar of Hindu Marriages and Sub- Registrar, Varanasi which records that the marriage between the appellant and third respondent has been solemnized on 5^th December, 2016. The date of birth of the third respondent – victim is shown therein as 20^th July, 1998. It is also br