Judgment

Sema, J.—This appeal is preferred by the State of U.P. against the acquittal recorded by the High Court.

2. The respondent was put to trial under Section 302/376 IPC. The trial court after conclusion of the trial convicted the respondent and sentenced him to RI for life under Section 302 IPC. The respondent was also sentenced to 7 years RI under Section 376 IPC. Aggrieved thereby, the respondent preferred the appeal before the High Court. The High Court by the impugned order acquitted the accused. Hence, the present appeal.

3. The story as unfolded by the prosecution is as follows :

On 21.2.1979 the prosecutrix, aged about 10 years, stated to be disappeared and was missing. Since the victim girl did not return PW.1, Braj Lal the father of the complainant made an abortive search for her and thereafter filed an FIR on 22.2.1979 at 8.15 p.m. The case was registered under Section 302/376 IPC. In the course of the investigation the prosecution examined as many as eight witnesses. The prosecution mainly relied on the evidence of Pws. 2, 5, 6 and 7 who are the witnesses with regard to the last seen of the accused with the victim. Prosecution also examined PW. 3, Dr. A.N. Saxena who c