STATE vs PAWAN

Judgment text excerpt

* IN THE HIGH COURT OF DELHI AT NEW DELHI Reserved on: 10.04.2026 Pronounced on: 07.05.2026 + CRL.L.P. 232/2024 & CRL.M.A. 13696/2024 STATE .....Petitioner Through: Mr. Aman Usman, APP with Mr. Manvendra Yadav, Adv. versus PAWAN .....Respondent Through: None. CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE NAVIN CHAWLA HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE RAVINDER DUDEJA JUDGMENT RAVINDER DUDEJA, J. 1. The captioned Criminal Leave Petition has been filed, seeking conviction of the respondent for the offences punishable under Section 6 of Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012 [“POCSO Act”] and Section 376 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860 [“IPC”], and for setting aside the impugned judgment passed by the learned Trial Court in SC No. 692/2017, FIR No. 257/2016, registered at Police Station Kalyan Puri, under Section 6 of POCSO Act and under Section 376 IPC, whereby the learned Trial Court has acquitted the respondent of the aforesaid offences, while convicting him under Section 10 of the POCSO Act. Signature Not Verified Signed By:VAISHALICRL.L.P. 232/2024 Page 1 of 9 PRUTHI Signing Date:07.05.2026 16:23 2. Vide judgment dated 02nd November, 2021, the learned Trial Court held the respondent guilty and convicted him for the offence under Section 10 of the POCSO Act. However, he was acquitted for the offences punishable under Section 6 POCSO Act and Section 376 IPC. Subsequently, vide Order on Sentence dated 21st December, 2021, the respondent was sentenced to undergo Rigorous Imprisonment for a period of 5 years and pay a fine of Rs. 5,000/- for the offence punishable under section 10 POCSO Act, and in default of payment of fine, he was directed to undergo Simple Imprisonment for a period of one month. 3. The Criminal Leave Petition has been filed with a delay of 541 days. The learned Additional