SUNIL SANTOSH BHAGWAT Vs. STATE OF MAHARASHTRA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) At the outset, it is informed that appointed counsel, Ms. Sayali Tekale, is on maternity leave. Mr. Prasanna Dadape, who is associated with the earlier counsel and has 12 years of practice, submits that he is ready with the matter. Since the accused is in jail, Mr. Prasanna Dadpe has been appointed to represent respondent No.2.

(2.) Heard Mr. Abhaysinh Bhosle, learned counsel for the appellant / accused; Ms. Ghanekar, learned APP for the State; and Mr. Prasanna Dadpe, learned appointed counsel for the victim.

(3.) Challenge in this appeal is to the judgment of conviction dtd. 14/5/2024, passed by the District Judge-2 and Additional Sessions Judge, Amalner, by which the appellant accused has been convicted for the commission of offfence punishable under Ss. 354, 354-A and 354-D of the Indian Penal Code, 1860 (hereinafter referred to as "IPC" for the sake of brevity), as well as Sec. 7, punishable under Sec. 8, and Sec. 12 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012 (hereinafter referred to as the "Act of 2012" for the sake of brevity). <IMG>JUDGEMENT_303_LAWS(BOM)2_2026_1.jpg</IMG>