PANKAJ SHARMA Vs. STATE OF MADHYA PRADESH

JUDGEMENT

(1.) This Criminal Appeal is filed by the appellant Pankaj Sharma S/o Vrishbhan Sharma being aggrieved of judgment dtd. 31/5/2025 passed by learned Special Judge (SC/ST Prevention of Atrocity Act), Tikamgarh in S.C.ATR No. 172 of 2021, whereby learned trial Court has convicted and sentenced the appellant under Sec. 376(2)(N) of IPC with rigorous imprisonment for life and fine of Rs.10,000.00 with default stipulations of R.I. for six months. Appellant has also been convicted under Sec. 420 IPC with three years rigorous imprisonment and fine of Rs.2000.00 with default stipulations of additional six months rigorous imprisonment.

(2.) It is submitted that, learned trial Court has acquitted the present appellant Pankaj Sharma of charges under Sec. 506 IPC so also 3(2)(v) of SC/ST (PoA) Act.

(3.) Shri Siddharth Datt, learned counsel for the appellant submits that, prosecution story in short is that, the victim was working as a Computer Operator at a Janpad Panchayat Office (not mentioning the name of the place with a view to safeguard identification of the victim). Pankaj Sharma was working as a Rojgar Sahayak and he used to visit the concerned office of Janpad Panchayat in his capacity of Rojgar Sahayak. He used to visit office of the victim and used to sit there for long. According to the victim, Pankaj Sharma started talking to her and during one such conversation had taken her phone number, then they regularly started talking over phone also. After three months of such interaction, when Pankaj Sharma proposed to establish physical relationship, then at first glance she had refused but later on in the name of marriage she was prepared to establish physical relationship.