SURENDRA RAM vs THE STATE (GOVT OF N.C.T DELHI)

* IN THE HIGH COURT OF DELHI AT NEW DELHI % Reserved on : 27.11.2025 Pronounced on : 22.12.2025 Uploaded on : 22.12.2025 CRL.A. 551/2016 SURENDRA RAM .....Appellant Through: Mr. Shashank Garg, Senior Advocate (Amicus Curiae Pro Bono) with Ms. Aradhya Chaturvedi, Advocates versus THE STATE (GOVT OF N.C.T DELHI) .....Respondent Through: Ms. Shubhi Gupta, APP for State with PSI Dheeraj Gupta and SI Prashant Malik, P.S. Laxmi Nagar. Ms. Neelampreet Kaur, Advocate (Amicus Curiae Pro Bono) for victim. CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE MANOJ KUMAR OHRI JUDGMENT 1. The present appeal has been instituted under Section 374 Cr.P.C. seeking setting aside of the judgment of conviction dated 18.02.2016 and the order on sentence dated 26.02.2016 passed by the Sessions Court in SC No. 64/2014, whereby the appellant was held guilty and convicted under Section 376 IPC as well as Section 4 POCSO and sentenced to undergo RI for 7 years along with payment of fine of Rs.5,000/-, in default whereof he would further undergo SI for 3 months, for the offence punishable under Section 4 POCSO. 2. The investigation in the present case commenced in the context of a complaint lodged on 23.12.2013, whereby it was allege