RAJU vs STATE (GNCT OF DELHI)

* IN THE HIGH COURT OF DELHI AT NEW DELHI Reserved on: 22.09.2025 Pronounced on: 08.10.2025 CRL.A. 102/2021 RAJU .....Appellant versus STATE (GNCT OF DELHI) .....Respondent Memo of Appearance For the Appellant: Mr. Anwesh Madhukar, DHCLSC with Mr. Ishat Singh Bhati, Ms. Prachi Nirwan and Mr. Gaurav Chahal, Advocates. For the Respondent: Mr. Ritesh Kumar Bahri, APP and Mr. Vinesh Kumar, Advocates. Ms. Inderjeet Sidhu, DHCLSC with Mr. Lalit Chaudhary, Mr. A Atri, Advocates. CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE VIVEK CHAUDHARY HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE MANOJ JAIN JUDGMENT 1. Appellant challenges his conviction under Section 4 of Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012 (in short ‘POCSO Act’) and Section 363, 366, 376 IPC and consequent order on sentence. 2. Since matter pertains to a sexual assault committed, allegedly, upon a minor girl, such victim would be referred to as ‘Miss A’ in the present judgment. 3. Let us take note of the relevant facts. 4. On 21.06.2014, father of ‘Miss A’ reported to the police that his daughter, aged 14 years, was missing. He also suspected that she (Miss A) 5. FIR for commission of offence under Section 363 IPC was registered and investigation was initiat