1. Leave granted.

2. This appeal is preferred by the appellant for assailing the judgment dated 27th June, 2023 passed by the High Court of the State of Telangana at Hyderabad partly allowing the Criminal Appeal No.178 of 2021 preferred by the appellant, upholding his conviction for offences under Sections 354D and 506-Part I of the Indian Penal Code, 1860(hereinafter being referred to as the ‘IPC’), but reducing the sentence of imprisonment for both the offences to three months.

3. The accused appellant was tried by the Special Fast Track Court, Suryapet (hereinafter being referred to as ‘trial Court’). Vide judgment dated 9th April, 2021, the trial Court acquitted the accused appellant for the offences under Section 11 read with Section 12 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012(hereinafter being referred to as ‘POCSO Act’) but at the same time, convicted and sentenced him for offences under Sections 354D and 506-Part I IPC as follows:

i) Under Section 354D IPC: Rigorous Imprisonment for 2 years and a fine of Rs. 1000/-(in default to undergo Simple Imprisonment for one month)

ii) Under Section 506 Part I IPC: Simple Imprisonment for 6 months and a fine of Rs. 500