FIRST LAW

Evidence Act, 1872 -  S. 35 -  Penal Code, 1860 -  Ss. 359, 363, 366, 366A, 375 & 376(2)(i) -  Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012 -  Ss. 5(a)(i) & (I) r/w. 6 -  Kidnapping from lawful guardianship - A ge of the Victim Girl -  Prosecution has utterly failed to prove that the age of the victim girl was below the age of 16 years, insofar as offence punishable under Section 363 of the IPC and below the age of 18 years insofar as the offences punishable under Section 376(2) (i) of IPC and under Section 5(a)(i) and (I) read with Section 6 of the POCSO Act are concerned.