ANAND Vs. UNION TERRITORY OF PUDUCHERRY

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The appellant / accused, in Special No. 2 of 2020 convicted by the trial Court by judgment dtd. 20/10/2021 for offence punishable under Sec. 363 IPC and sentenced to undergo three years rigorous imprisonment and to pay a fine of Rs.10,000.00, in default of payment of fine, to undergo a further period of six months simple imprisonment, has filed the present appeal.

(2.) The case of the prosecution is that, at the time of occurrence, the victim girl / PW2 is a minor, aged about 16 years. The victim was attending college and also doing part time job in Auro Star Super Market, VVP Nagar, Puducherry. The appellant is also employed there, wherein the appellant had compelled the victim to have a love affair, which initially the victim refused, but later, they developed liking towards each other.

(3.) On 1/2/2019, the victim girl had not returned home. Hence, PW1/father of the victim had enquired with the employer / PW6, who informed that his daughter complained of some discomfort and left the shop at about 8 p.m. Thereafter, PW1 made a search with other persons/relatives in the nearby vicinity. Unable to trace his daughter, victim's father lodged a complaint with PW8, who received the complaint, which is marked as Ex.P1 and registered a case in Crime No. 23 of 2019 for the offence punishable under Sec. 363 IPC for 'girl missing'.