/2022 INSC 0128/
/2022 INSC 01128/
REPORTABLE
IN THE SUPREME COURT OF INDIA
CRIMINAL APPELLATE JURISDICTION
CRIMINAL APPEAL NO.144 OF 2022
Nawabuddin                ..Appellant(S)
Versus
State of Uttarakhand             ..Respondent(S)
J U D G M E N T 
M. R. Shah, J.
1. Feeling   aggrieved   and   dissatisfied   with   the   impugned
judgment and order dated 22.08.2019 passed by the High
Court   of   Uttarakhand   at   Nainital   in   Criminal   Appeal   No.
280   of   2018   by   which   the   High   Court   has   dismissed   the
said   appeal   preferred   by   the   accused   –   appellant   herein
and   has   confirmed   the   conviction   of   the   accused   for   the
offences   punishable   under   Sections   376(2)(i)   of   IPC   and
Section   5/6   of   the   Protection   of   Children   From   Sexual
Offences   Act,   2012   (hereinafter   referred   to   as   “POCSO
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Act”),   the   original   accused   has   preferred   the   present
appeal.     
2. That   as   per   the   case   of   the   prosecution   on   17.06.2016   at
about   5:00   pm,   the   first   informant   (PW­1)   had   gone   to
fetch   water   and   her   husband   was   out   for   work.   At   that
time,   her   daughter   (victim   girl)   aged   four   years   was   all
alone   in   the   house.   The   accused   –   appellant   herein   who
was a neighbour  of PW­1, enticed and took the victim  girl
in   the   bushes   to   rape   her.   However,   at   that   time   the
accused   was   spotted   by   some   persons   naked   in   the
process   of   raping   the   victim   girl.   The   accused   and   the
victim   girl   were   disrobed.   The   people   who   had   gathered
around   caught   the   accused   red   handed   and   handed   him
over   to   the   police.   That   a   first   information   report   was
lodged by PW­1 – mother of the victim girl for the offences
punishable   under   Sections   376   read   with   511   of   IPC   and
Section   3/4   of   the   POCSO   Act.   The   victim   girl   was
medically examined by PW­10 – Dr. Vandana Sundriyal on
17.06.2016.   During   the   course   of   investigation   the
statement   of   the   victim   girl   as   well   as   the   witnesses   were
recorded.   After   conclusion   of   the   investigation   the
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investigating   officer   filed   the   chargesheet   against   the
accused   for   the   offences   punishable   under   Section   376(2)
(F) of IPC and Section 3/4 of the POCSO Act. The charges
were   framed   against   the   accused   for   the   offences
punishable under Section 376(2)(i) of IPC and Section 5/6
of   the   POCSO   Act.   The   accused   denied   the   charges   and
claimed to be tried. Therefore, he was tried by the learned
Special Judge (POCSO Act) for the aforesaid offences. 
2.1 To prove the charges against the accused and to prove the
case,   the   prosecution   examined   as   many   as   thirteen
witnesses   including   PW­1   –   mother   of   the   victim   girl   and
PW­10 – Dr. Vandana Sundriyal who examined the victim
girl   on   17.06.2016.   After   closure   of   the   prosecution
evidence,   statement   of   the   accused   under   Section   313   of
Cr.PC   was   recorded.   His   case   was   of   total   denial.   On
appreciation   of   evidence   and   more   particularly   relying
upon   the   deposition   of   PW­10   ­   Dr.   Vandana   Sundriyal
before   whom   the   victim   girl   narrated   the   entire   incident,
the   Trial   Court   held   the   accused   guilty   for   the   offences
punishable under Section 376(2)(i) of IPC and Section 6 of
the   POCSO   Act,   2012.   The   Trial   Court   sentenced   the
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accused to undergo life imprisonment and also directed to
pay   monetary   fine   of   Rs.50,000/­.   The   Trial   Court   also
passed   an   order   that   out   of   the   amount   of   fine   of
Rs.50,000/­, Rs.30,000/­ shall be paid to the victim girl as
compensation.                 
3. Feeling   aggrieved   and   dissatisfied   with   the   impugned
judgment  and order  of conviction and  sentence passed by
the   learned   Trial   Court/Special   Judge   (POCSO   Act),   the
accused preferred an appeal before the High Court. Before
the   High   Court,   amongst   other   grounds,   one   of   the
grounds   was   that   the   case   would   not   fall   under   Section
5/6   of   the   POCSO   Act   and   at   the   most   the   case   may   fall
under   Section   7/8   of   the   POCSO   Act   as   there   was   no
penetration   and   at   the   most   and   even   as   per   the   case   of
the prosecution the accused had tried to commit the rape.
By   the   detailed   impugned   judgment   and   order,   the   High
Court   has   dismissed   the   said   appeal   and   has   confirmed
the   conviction   of   the   accused   and   the   sentence   of   life
imprisonment.   Feeling   aggrieved   and   dissatisfied   with   the
impugned   judgment   and   order   passed   by   the   High   Court,
the accused has preferred the present appeal.
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4. Shri   Saju   Jacob,   learned   counsel   appearing   on   behalf   of
the accused – appellant has vehemently submitted that in
the   facts   and   circumstances   of   the   case   the   High   Court
has committed a grave error in dismissing the appeal and
confirming the judgment and order of conviction passed by
the   learned   Trial   Court   convicting   the   accused   for   the
offences punishable under Section 5/6 of the POCSO Act. 
4.1 It   is   submitted   that   in   fact   the   witnesses   have   not
supported the case of the prosecution. It is submitted that
the   accused   could   not   have   been   convicted   on   the   sole
testimony of PW­10 ­ Dr. Vandana Sundriyal. 
4.2 It   is   further   submitted   by   learned   counsel   appearing   on
behalf   of   the   accused   that   even   in   the   present   case   so
called recording of the incident in the mobile has not been
established and  proved  by   the prosecution  by  leading  any
cogent evidence.
4.3 It   is   further   submitted   by   learned   counsel   appearing   on
behalf   of   the   accused   that   even   as   per   the   prosecution
case, it was only  an attempt of aggravated sexual assault.
It   is   submitted   that   in   absence   of   penetration   and
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aggravated penetrative sexual assault, the appellant could
not have been convicted for the offences punishable under
Section 5/6 of the POCSO Act. 
4.4 It   is   vehemently   contended   by   learned   counsel   appearing
on   behalf   of   the   accused   that   even   considering   the
prosecution   case   as   it   is,   at   the   most   the   case   would   fall
under   sexual   assault   punishable   under   Section   8   of   the
POCSO Act. It is urged that in any case the case would not
fall under  aggravated penetrative sexual assault. 
4.5 In   the   alternative,   it   is   submitted   by   learned   counsel
appearing on behalf of the accused that at the time of the
alleged incident accused was aged approximately 65 years
of   age   and   as   on   today   he   is   75   years   of   age.   It   is
submitted   that   as   per   Section   6   of   the   POCSO   Act   as   it
stood   on   the   date   of   incident   the   minimum   sentence
provided   was   ten   years   but   which   may   extend   to
imprisonment   for   life.   It   is   therefore   submitted   that
imposing life sentence is too harsh and disproportionate to
the  offence committed. Therefore, it  is prayed to  impose  a
lesser punishment than the life imprisonment.          
     
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5. Shri   Krishnam   Mishara,   learned   counsel   appearing   on
behalf   of   the   State   of   Uttarakhand,   while   opposing   the
present   appeal   has   vehemently   submitted   that   in   the
present case as such the prosecution has proved the case
beyond   doubt.   It   is   submitted   that   PW­10   ­   Dr.   Vandana
Sundriyal   who   is   an   independent   witness   has   fully
supported the case of the prosecution. 
5.1 It   is   further   contended   by   learned   counsel   appearing   on
behalf of the State that this is a case of penetrative sexual
assault as defined under Section 3(b) of the POCSO Act. It
is   submitted   that   as   per   Section   5(m)   whoever   commits
penetrative sexual assault on a child below twelve years, it
can be said to be an aggravated penetrative sexual assault
punishable under Section 6 of the POCSO Act. 
5.2 It   is   urged   by   learned   counsel   appearing   on   behalf   of   the
State that the accused in the present case was a neighbour
of   the   victim   girl;   he   misused   his   position   as   a   neighbour
and tried to penetrate his finger  and then tried to commit
rape   on   the   minor   girl.   However,   before   he   could   succeed
in committing rape, he was caught red handed by the local
persons.   It   is   submitted   that   the   entire   incident   was
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narrated by the victim girl to Dr. Vandana Sundriyal – PW­
10.   It   is   therefore   submitted   that   when   the   accused
misused   his   position   as   a   neighbour   and   committed   the
offence   under   the   POCSO   Act   upon   a   girl   aged   four   years
and   looking   to   the   object   and   purpose   for   which   the
POCSO   Act   has   been   enacted,   no   leniency   should   be
shown to the accused. It is submitted that in the facts and
circumstances   of   the   case   the   accused   does   not   deserve
any sympathy or any leniency. 
5.3 Making  the  above  submissions  it  is prayed  to  dismiss  the
present appeal.         
6. We have heard the learned counsel appearing on behalf of
the respective parties at length. 
7. At   the   outset   it   is   required   to   be   noted   that   there   are
concurrent   findings   recorded   by   both   the   Courts   below,
recorded on appreciation of evidence on record to the effect
that the accused tried to commit the offence of rape on the
victim   girl   aged   four   years.   It   has   been   established   and
proved by the prosecution that the victim girl was lured by
the   appellant   –   accused;   she   was   taken   to   the   bushes;
accused removed his own clothes as well as the clothes of
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the   victim   girl   and   fondled   her   private   parts   and
penetrated his finger into the vagina of the victim girl. The
same   is   fully   supported   by   Dr.   Vandana   Sundriyal   –   PW­
10, who examined the victim girl on 17.06.2016 and before
whom   the   victim   girl   narrated   the   entire   incident   to   her
which   was   recorded   in   exhibit   A­6   –   medical   examination
report.   As   per   Dr.   Vandana   Sundriyal   –   PW­10   who   is   an
independent   witness,   the   victim   girl   told   her   that   the
accused tried to penetrate his finger and therefore she felt
pain and irritation in urination as well as she also felt pain
in her body. As per PW­10 there was redness and swelling
around the vagina. Though  the other  witnesses who  seem
to have been won over might not have supported the case
of   the   prosecution,   we   see   no   reason   to   doubt   the
deposition   of   PW­10   ­   Dr.   Vandana   Sundriyal,   who   is   an
independent witness. There are no allegations on behalf of
the   accused   that   there   was   any   enmity   with   Dr.   Vandana
Sundriyal. Therefore, we are of the opinion that it is safe to
convict the accused relying upon the deposition of PW­10 ­
Dr.   Vandana   Sundriyal   before   whom   the   victim   girl
narrated   the   entire   incident   which   was   recorded   in   the
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medical   examination   report   namely   exhibit   A­6.   Thus,   it
has   been   established   and   proved   by   the   prosecution   that
the accused took the victim girl away from the house; took
her   deep   into   the   bushes;   disrobed   her   and   removed   his
clothes as well; penetrated his finger in the vagina, due to
which   the   victim   girl   felt   pain   and   irritation   in   urination
and   he   was   about   to   force   himself   upon   her   and   commit
the offence of rape when he was caught red handed.
7.1 Now the next question which is posed for the consideration
of this Court is, what offence the accused had committed.
The   Trial   Court   convicted   the   accused   for   the   offences
punishable under Sections 376(2)(i) of IPC and Section 5/6
of   the   POCSO   Act.  It  is  the   case  on   behalf   of  the   accused
that at the most it can be said to be an attempt to commit
penetrative sexual assault and therefore at the most it can
be said to be the case of sexual assault under Section 7 of
the POCSO Act punishable under Section 8 of the POCSO
Act. Therefore, it is the case on behalf of the accused that
as   it   is   neither   a   case   of   penetrative   sexual   assault   nor
aggravated   penetrative   sexual   assault,   therefore   the
punishment   of   life   imprisonment   imposed   was   not
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warranted and at the highest he could have been punished
with   imprisonment   of   either   description   for   a   term   which
shall not be less than three years but which may extend to
five years, and shall also be liable to fine. 
8. While  appreciating   the   aforesaid   submissions   the   relevant
provisions of the POCSO Act are required to be referred to
and   considered.   Section   3   of   the   POCSO   Act   defines
‘penetrative sexual assault’. As per Section 3 of the Act, a
person  is  said to   commit  ‘penetrative  sexual   assault’  if­(b)
he inserts, to any extent, any object of a part of the body,
not   being   the   penis,   into   the   vagina……….   Section   4
provides   ‘punishment   for   penetrative   sexual   assault’.
Section 5 of the Act defines ‘aggravated penetrative sexual
assault’   and   as   per   Section   5(m)   whoever   commits
penetrative sexual assault on a child below twelve years it
is   aggravated   penetrative   sexual   assault.   Section   6
provides   ‘punishment   for   aggravated   penetrative   sexual
assault.’   In   the   present   case,   it   has   been   established   and
proved that the accused penetrated his finger in the vagina
and   because   of   that   the   victim   girl   felt   pain   and  irritation
in   urination   as   well   as   pain   on   her   body   and   there   was
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redness   and   swelling   around   the   vagina   found   by   the
doctor. We are of the opinion that therefore the case would
fall under Section 3(b) of the POCSO Act and it can be said
to   be   penetrative   sexual   assault   and   considering   Section
5(m) of the POCSO Act as such penetrative sexual assault
was committed on a girl child aged four years (below twelve
years)   the   same   can   be   said   to   be   ‘aggravated   penetrative
sexual   assault’   punishable  under   Section  6  of  the  POCSO
Act.   Therefore,   both,   the   Trial   Court   as   well   as   the   High
Court   have   rightly   convicted   the   accused   for   the   offences
under   Section   5   of   the   POCSO   Act   punishable   under
Section 6 of the POCSO Act.
9. Now   in   so   far   as   the   prayer   on   behalf   of   the   accused   –
appellant   herein   to   take   a   lenient   view   in   the   matter   by
considering   mitigating   circumstances   of   old   age   of   the
accused   and   to   alter   the   life   imprisonment   to   any   other
punishment   is   concerned,   the   same   has   to   be   considered
in   light   of   the   object   and   purpose   of   enactment   of   the
POCSO Act. 
9.1 In   the   case   of   Eera   Vs.   State   (NCT   of   Delhi) ,   (2017)   15
SCC   133,   this   Court   has   observed   on   the   Statement   and
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Objects and Reasons of POCSO Act in para 20 as under: ­
“20.   The   purpose   of   referring   to   the   Statement   of
Objects   and   Reasons   and   the   Preamble   of
the   Pocso   Act is to appreciate that the very purpose of
bringing   a   legislation   of   the   present   nature   is   to
protect   the   children   from   the   sexual   assault,
harassment   and   exploitation,   and   to   secure   the   best
interest   of   the   child.   On   an   avid   and   diligent
discernment   of   the   Preamble,   it   is   manifest   that   it
recognises   the   necessity   of   the   right   to   privacy   and
confidentiality of a child to be protected and respected
by every person by all means and through all stages of
a judicial process involving the child. Best interest and
well­being   are   regarded   as   being   of   paramount
importance   at   every   stage   to   ensure   the   healthy
physical,   emotional,   intellectual   and   social
development   of   the   child.   There   is   also   a   stipulation
that sexual exploitation and sexual abuse are heinous
offences   and   need   to   be   effectively   addressed.   The
Statement   of   Objects   and   Reasons   provides   regard
being   had   to   the   constitutional   mandate,   to   direct   its
policy towards securing that the tender age of children
is not abused and their childhood is protected against
exploitation and they are given facilities to develop in a
healthy   manner   and   in   conditions   of   freedom   and
dignity.   There   is   also   a   mention   which   is   quite
significant   that   interest   of   the   child,   both   as   a   victim
as well as a witness, needs to be protected. The stress
is on providing child­friendly procedure. Dignity of the
child   has   been   laid   immense   emphasis   in  the  scheme
of   legislation.   Protection   and   interest   occupy   the
seminal place in the text of the   Pocso   Act.”
9.2 In  the  case  of   Alakh   Alok   Srivastava   Vs.   Union   of   India
&   Ors.   (2018)   17   SCC   291 ,   in   para   14   and   20,   it   is
observed as under: ­
“14.   At   the   very   outset,   it   has   to   be   stated   with
authority   that   the   Pocso   Act   is   a   gender   neutral
legislation.   This   Act   has   been   divided   into   various
chapters and parts therein. Chapter II of the Act titled
“Sexual  Offences   Against   Children”   is  segregated   into
five   parts.   Part   A   of   the   said   Chapter   contains   two
sections,   namely,   Section   3   and   Section   4.   Section   3
defines   the   offence   of   “Penetrative   Sexual   Assault”
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whereas   Section  4   lays   down  the   punishment   for   the
said   offence.   Likewise,   Part   B   of   the   said   Chapter
titled   “Aggravated   Penetrative   Sexual   Assault   and
Punishment   therefor”   contains   two   sections,   namely,
Section   5   and   Section   6.   The   various   sub­sections   of
Section   5   copiously   deal   with   various   situations,
circumstances   and   categories   of   persons   where   the
offence   of   penetrative   sexual   assault   would   take   the
character   of   the   offence   of   aggravated   penetrative
sexual assault. Section 5( k ), in particular, while laying
emphasis on the mental stability of a child stipulates
that   where   an   offender   commits   penetrative   sexual
assault  on  a child, by   taking  advantage  of the child's
mental   or   physical   disability,   it   shall   amount   to   an
offence of aggravated penetrative sexual assault.”
“20 .   Speaking   about   the   child,   a   three­Judge   Bench
in   M.C. Mehta   v.   State of T.N.  (1996) 6 SCC 756
“1.   …   “child   is   the   father   of   man”.   To   enable
fathering of a valiant and vibrant man, the child must
be   groomed   well  in   the   formative   years  of   his   life.   He
must   receive   education,   acquire   knowledge   of   man
and   materials   and   blossom   in   such   an   atmosphere
that on reaching  age, he is found to be a man with a
mission,   a   man   who   matters   so   far   as   the   society   is
concerned.”
 
9.3 As   it   can   be   seen   from   the   Statement   of   objects   and
reasons   of   the   POCSO   Act   since   the   sexual   offences
against   children   were   not   adequately   addressed   by   the
existing   laws   and   a   large   number   of   such   offences   were
neither   specifically   provided   for   nor   were   they   adequately
penalised, the POCSO Act has been enacted to protect the
children   from   the   offences   of   sexual   assault,   sexual
harassment   and   pornography   and   to   provide   for
establishment   of   special   courts   for   trial   of   such   offences
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and   for   matters   connected   therewith   and   incidental
thereto.
9.4 At this stage, it is required to be noted that the POCSO Act
has been enacted keeping in mind Article 15 and 39 of the
Constitution   of   India.   Article   15   of   the   Constitution,   inter
alia,   confers   upon   the   State   powers   to   make   special
provision   for   children.   Article   39,   inter   alia,   provides   that
the   State   shall   in   particular   direct   its   policy   towards
securing   that   the   tender   age   of   children   are   not   abused
and   their   childhood   and   youth   are   protected   against
exploitation   and   they   are   given   facilities   to   develop   in   a
healthy  manner  and in conditions of freedom  and dignity.
To   achieve   the   goal   as   per   Article   15   and   39   of   the
Constitution,  the  legislature  has  enacted  the  Protection  of
Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012.
9.5 As   noted   in   the   Statement   of   objects   and   reasons,   as   per
the   United   Nations   Convention   on   the   Rights   of   Children,
to which India is a signatory to the treaty, the State Parties
to   undertake   all   appropriate   national,   bilateral   and
multilateral   measures   to   prevent   (a)   the   inducement   or
coercion   of   a   child   to   engage   in   any   unlawful   sexual
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activity;   (b)  the   exploitative   use   of   children   in   prostitution
or other unlawful sexual practices; and (c) the exploitative
use   of   children   in   pornographic   performances   and
materials. 
Article 19 of the Convention states the following: ­
1. States   Parties   shall   take   all   appropriate
legislative,   administrative,   social   and
educational   measures   to   protect   the   child   from
all  form/s   of   physical   or   mental  violence,   injury
or   abuse,   neglect   or   negligent   treatment,
maltreatment   or   exploitation,   including   sexual
abuse,   while   in   the   care   of   parent(s),   legal
guardian(s)   or   any   other   person   who   has   the
care of the child. 
2. Such   protective   measures   should,   as
appropriate,   include   effective   procedures   for   the
establishment   of   social   programmes   to   provide
necessary   support   for   the   child   and   for   those
who   have   the   care   of   the   child,   as   well   as   for
other   forms   of   prevention   and   for   identification,
reporting,   referral,   investigation,   treatment   and
follow­up   of   instances   of   child   maltreatment
described   heretofore,   and,   as   appropriate,   for
judicial involvement.          
The   general   comment   No.13   on   the   Convention
specifically dealt with the right of the child to freedom from
all forms of violence and it has observed that “no violence
against children is justifiable; all violence against children
is preventable”
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10. Keeping in mind the aforesaid objects and to achieve what
has   been   provided   under   Article   15   and   39   of   the
Constitution to protect children from the offences of sexual
assault,   sexual   harassment,   the   POCSO   Act,   2012   has
been   enacted.   Any   act   of   sexual   assault   or   sexual
harassment   to   the   children   should   be   viewed   very
seriously   and   all   such   offences   of   sexual   assault,   sexual
harassment   on   the   children   have   to   be   dealt   with   in   a
stringent   manner   and   no   leniency   should   be   shown   to   a
person   who   has   committed   the   offence   under   the   POCSO
Act.   By   awarding   a   suitable   punishment   commensurate
with   the   act   of   sexual   assault,   sexual   harassment,   a
message   must   be   conveyed   to   the   society   at   large   that,   if
anybody   commits   any   offence   under   the   POCSO   Act   of
sexual   assault,   sexual   harassment   or   use   of   children   for
pornographic   purposes   they   shall   be   punished   suitably
and   no   leniency   shall   be   shown   to   them.   Cases   of   sexual
assault   or   sexual   harassment   on   the   children   are
instances   of   perverse   lust   for   sex   where   even   innocent
children are not spared in pursuit of such debased sexual
pleasure. 
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Children are precious human resources of our country;
they   are   the  country’s  future.  The   hope   of  tomorrow   rests
on them. But unfortunately, in our country, a girl child is
in a very vulnerable position. There are different modes of
her   exploitation,   including   sexual   assault   and/or   sexual
abuse.   In   our   view,   exploitation   of   children   in   such   a
manner   is   a   crime   against   humanity   and   the   society.
Therefore, the children and more particularly the girl child
deserve   full   protection   and   need   greater   care   and
protection   whether   in   the   urban   or   rural   areas.   As
observed   and   held   by   this   Court   in   the   case   of   State   of
Rajasthan   Vs.   Om   Prakash ,   (2002)   5   SCC   745,   children
need   special   care   and   protection   and,   in   such   cases,
responsibility   on   the   shoulders   of   the   Courts   is   more
onerous   so   as   to   provide   proper   legal   protection   to   these
children. In the case of   Nipun  Saxena  v.   Union  of India,
(2019) 2 SCC 703, it is observed by this Court that a   minor
who   is   subjected   to   sexual   abuse   needs   to   be   protected
even   more   than   a   major   victim   because   a   major   victim
being   an   adult   may   still   be   able   to   withstand   the   social
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ostracization and mental harassment meted out by society,
but   a   minor   victim   will   find   it   difficult   to   do   so.   Most
crimes against minor victims are not even reported as very
often,   the   perpetrator   of   the   crime   is   a   member   of   the
family   of   the   victim   or   a   close   friend.   Therefore,   the   child
needs   extra   protection.   Therefore,   no   leniency   can   be
shown   to   an   accused   who   has   committed   the   offences
under   the   POCSO   Act,   2012   and   particularly   when   the
same is proved by adequate evidence before a court of law.
10.1  In the present case it is to be noted that the accused was
aged   approximately   65   years   of   age   at   the   time   of
commission   of   offence.   He   was   a   neighbour   of   the   victim
girl.   He   took   advantage   of   the   absence   of   her   parents,
when   her   mother   went   to   fetch   water   and   her   father   had
gone   to   work.   He   is   found   to   have   committed   aggravated
penetrative   sexual   assault   (as   observed   hereinabove)   on   a
girl child aged four  years, which  demonstrates the  mental
state or mindset of the accused. As a neighbour, in fact, it
was the duty of the accused to protect the victim girl when
alone   rather   than   exploiting   her   innocence   and
vulnerability.   The   victim   was   barely   a   four   years   girl.   The
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accused   –   appellant   was   the   neighbour.   The   accused
instead of showing fatherly love, affection and protection to
the   child   against   the   evils   of   the   society,   rather   made   her
the   victim   of   lust.   It   is   a   case   where   trust   has   been
betrayed   and   social   values   are   impaired.   Therefore,   the
accused   as   such   does   not   deserve   any   sympathy   and/or
any leniency. 
However,   the   punishment   provided   for   the   offence
under Section 6, as it stood prior to its amendment and at
the   time   of   commission   of   the   offence   in   the   instant   case
for   aggravated   penetrative   sexual   assault   was   rigours
imprisonment   for  a  term  which  shall  not  be  less  than  ten
years   but   which   may   extend   to   imprisonment   for   life   and
shall   also   be   liable   to   fine.   Now   as   per   the   amended
Section   6   with   effect   from   16.08.2019,   the   minimum
punishment   provided   is   twenty   years   and   which   may
extend   to   imprisonment   for   life,   which   shall   mean
imprisonment   for   the   remainder   of   natural   life   of   that
person,   and   shall   also   be   liable   to   fine,   or   with   death.
Therefore,   at   the   relevant   time   the   minimum   punishment
provided for the offence under Section 6 of the POCSO Act,
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2012   was   ten   years   RI   and   which   may   extend   to
imprisonment for life. It is reported that today the accused
is aged 70­75 years of age and it is also reported that he is
suffering   from   Tuberculosis   (TB).   Therefore,   considering
such mitigating circumstances we are of the opinion that if
the   life   sentence   is   converted   to   fifteen   years   RI   and   the
fine   imposed   by   the   Trial   Court   confirmed   by   the   High
Court   to   be   maintained,   it   can   be   said   to   be   an   adequate
punishment commensurate with the offence committed by
the accused. 
11. In   view   of   the   above   discussion   the   impugned   judgment
and   order   passed   by   the   High   Court   and   the   learned
Special   Court   convicting   the   accused   for   the   offences
punishable under Sections 376(2)(i) of IPC and Section 5 of
the   POCSO   Act   and   imposing   the   punishment   under
Section 6 of the POCSO Act is hereby upheld. The accused
is   rightly   held   guilty   for   the   aforesaid   offences.   However,
for   the   reasons   assigned   hereinabove   the   sentence   of   life
imprisonment   is   converted   to   that   of   fifteen   (15)   years   RI
with   fine/compensation   imposed   by   the   Trial   Court
confirmed   by   the   High   Court.   Now   the   accused   shall
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undergo fifteen (15) years RI with fine imposed by the Trial
Court   confirmed   by   the   High   Court   for   the   aforesaid
offences   instead   of   life   imprisonment.   The   present   appeal
is partly allowed to the aforesaid extent only.                 
…………………………………J.
   (M. R. SHAH)
…………………………………J.
 (B.V. NAGARATHNA)
New Delhi, 
February,  08 th
 2022
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