RAMCHANDRA THANGAPPAN AACHARI Vs. STATE OF MAHARASHTRA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Appellant has questioned correctness of the Judgment and Order dtd. 19/6/2019 passed in POCSO Special Case No.429 of 2017 by the learned Special Judge, Greater Mumbai, convicting and sentencing Appellant under Ss. 4, 6 and 8 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offence Act, 2012 (for short "POCSO Act") and sentenced him to suffer maximum rigorous imprisonment of ten years and to pay a total fine of Rs.30,000.00 (Rupees Thirty Thousand Only), in default of payment of fine to further undergo specified period of imprisonment.

(2.) Heard Mr. Bapat, learned Advocate appointed by the High Court Legal Services Committee, Mumbai to represent the Appellant, Ms. Chavhan, learned Advocate appointed by High Court Legal Services Committee, Mumbai to represent Respondent No.2 (victim) and Mr. Pethe, learned APP for Respondent No.1-State. Perused entire record.

(3.) As the victim was minor, aged about 15 years on the date of lodgement of crime, with a view to protect her identity and in-consonance with Sec. 228-A of the IPC and Sec. 33(7) of the POCSO Act, the facts disclosing her identity are hereinafter avoided in the present Judgment.