THE HIGH COURT OF SIKKIM : GANGTOK (Criminal Appeal Jurisdiction)

DATED : 19^th June, 2025 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- DIVISION BENCH : THE HON’BLE MRS. JUSTICE MEENAKSHI MADAN RAI, JUDGE THE HON’BLE MR. JUSTICE BHASKAR RAJ PRADHAN, JUDGE -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Crl.A. No.21 of 2024 Appellant : Arjun Kumar Prasad versus Respondent : State of Sikkim Application under Section 374(2) of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 --------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------

Appearance Ms. Neha Gupta, Advocate for the Appellant.

Mr. Yadev Sharma, Additional Public Prosecutor for the State-

Respondent.

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JUDGMENT Meenakshi Madan Rai, J.

1. The Appellant was charged with the offence under Section 5(j)(ii), punishable under Section 6 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012 (hereinafter, “POCSO Act”) and Section 376(1) of the Indian Penal Code, 1860 (hereinafter, “IPC”). He was convi