JUDGMENT

Hansaria, J.-Sex violence is on increase, and in a big way. It is an irony, as recently pointed out this Court in State of Punjab v. Gurmit Singh1, that while celebrating woman s rights in all spheres, we show little concern for her honour, which is a sad reflection. It has to be remembered that a rapist not only violates the victim s personal integrity but degrades the very soul of the helpless female.

2. Present case is much more serious, because here, after Ravindrajit had resisted rape, she was done to death. There can be no doubt that such an offence has to be viewed very seriously and a person accused of such an offence does not deserve to be acquitted lightly. But this is precisely what has happened inasmuch as the trial court, despite there being clinching and conclusive evidence to find the accused guilty, acquitted him. What is more, the State did not think it fit to file appeal. We wonder why ? It was left to the complainant to knock the door of the High Court by invoking its revisional jurisdiction. And see what the High Court has done. It passes one word order only saying "Dismissed". We are afraid, the High Court was far from justified in doing so inasmuch as f