JAI MANGAL MEHTO vs STATE (GOVT. N.C.T. OF DELHI))

Judgment text excerpt

$~ * IN THE HIGH COURT OF DELHI AT NEW DELHI % Judgment delivered on: 27.10.2025 + CRL.A. 123/2025 & CRL.M.(BAIL) 215/2025 JAI MANGAL MEHTO .....Appellant Through: Mr. R.K. Bhardwaj and Mr. Muntazir Mehndi, Advs. versus STATE (GOVT. N.C.T. OF DELHI)) .....Respondent Through: Mr. Naresh Kumar Chahar, APP for the State along with SI Neelu and SI Sangeeta. CORAM: HON'BLE DR. JUSTICE SWARANA KANTA SHARMA JUDGMENT DR. SWARANA KANTA SHARMA, J 1. By way of this appeal, the appellant seeks setting aside of the judgment of conviction dated 07.10.2024 [hereafter „impugned judgment‟] and order on sentence dated 03.12.2024 [hereafter „impugned order on sentence‟] passed by the learned Additional Sessions Judge-01 (POCSO) South-West, Dwarka Courts, New Delhi [hereafter „Trial Court‟] in Sessions Case No. 233/2022, whereby the appellant was convicted for commission of offence punishable under Section 18 read with Section 5(m)(n) of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offence Act, 2012 [hereafter „POCSO Act‟] and Section CRL.A. 123/2025 Page 1 of 12 Signature Not Verified Digitally Signed By:ZEENAT PRAVEEN Signing Date:27.10.2025 18:12:38 511 read with Section 376AB of the Indian Penal Code, 1860 [hereafter „IPC‟]. The appellant was sentenced to undergo rigorous imprisonment for a period of ten years alongwith payment of fine of ₹10,000/- for the commission of offence punishable under Section 18 read with Section 5 (m)(n) of POCSO Act, and in default of payment of fine, to undergo simple imprisonment for thirty days. 2. The present case presents the story of victim „X‟, who is only nine years of age. She narrates her harrowing experience which was traumatic mentally and devastating physically. She informed the police that she was sexually assaulted while sleeping in the presumed sa