IMPORTANT POINT
Evidence of a victim of sex offence is entitled to great weight, absence of corroboration notwithstanding and corroboration is not the sine qua non for conviction in rape case.

Headnote:Indian Penal Code, 1860 - Section 451 and 377 - Respondent accused was convicted under by trial Court for having committed carnal intercourse against order of nature on victim 10 years old girl in her house - Conviction was upheld in appeal - High Court set aside conviction in revision on ground that there was no corroboration and alleged suppression of a report purported to have been given before FIR in question was lodged - State appeal - Corroboration evidence could not be insisted where case spoken to by victim strikes judicial mind as probable - Evidence of a victim of sex offence was entitled to great weight, absence of corroboration notwithstanding - High Court proceeded on erroneous impression as if written complaint was earlier lodged with police which was suppressed by prosecution - Prosecutrix had categorically and elaborately described the incident - In cross-examination no material inconsistency had surfaced except minor which were but natural - Acquittal was on untenable grounds, liable to be set aside - Conviction and sentence of one year imprisonment and fine recorded by trial Court and 1st appellant Court was liable to be restored.
       Held : An accused cannot cling to a fossil formula and insist on corroborative evidence, even if taken as a whole, the case spoken to by the victim strikes a judicial mind as probable. Judicial response to human rights cannot be blunted by legal jugglery. A similar view was expressed by this Court in Rafiq v. State of U.P. (1980 (4) SCC 262) with some anguish. The same was echoed again in Bharwada Bhogiabhai and Hirjibhai v. State of Gujarat (AIR 1988 SC 753). It was observed in the said case that in the Indian setting refusal to act on the testimony of the victim of sexual assault in the absence of corroboration as a rule, is adding insult to injury. A girl or a woman in the tradition bound non-permissive society of India would be extremely reluctant even to admit that any incident which is likely to reflect on her chastity or dignity had ever occurred. She would be conscious of the danger of being ostracized by the society and when in the face of these factors the crime is brought to light, there is inbuilt assurance that the charge is genuine rather than fabricated. Just as a witness who has sustained an injury, which is not shown or believed to be self-inflicted, is the best witness in the sense that he is least likely to exculpate the real offender, the evidence of a victim of sex offence is entitled to great weight, absence of corroboration notwithstanding. Corroboration is not the sine qua non for conviction in a rape case.(Para 7)
       In addition, it is to be noted that reading of PW-1s evidence shows that the High Court proceeded on erroneous impression as if written complaint was earlier lodged before the police which was suppressed by the prosecution. A close reading of PW-5s evidence shows that she has not stated anything of that nature. On the contrary, evidence of the mother PW-5 and the father PW-4 is that they went to the police station with the victim and FIR was lodged. The High Court had proceeded on the basis as if PW-2 has resiled from her statement made during investigation. It is really not so. She has stated about accused going into the house of the victim asking for water and when PW-1 went inside to take the glass, accused forcibly catching her. The evidence of PW-1 who was 10 years of age at the time of occurrence and was about 14 years of age at the time of deposition in Court has categorically and elaborately described the incident. She has graphically described as to how the offence was committed. She has stated that while she was alone in the house, the accused who was her neighbour came to her and asked for a glass of water. But he did not go and wanted more glass of water. When she turned to take the glass she was caught forcibly by him and was to made lie on the floor. The accused lifted her skirt and removed her underwear and thrust his male organ, and committed carnal intercourse against the order of nature. She cried but nobody heard the same except her brother who was unable to help, as he was lying in bed because of paralysis. The accused went away thereafter.(Para 12)
       In cross-examination no material inconsistency has surfaced except some minor ones which are but natural. The High Court clearly lost sight of these factors and has directed acquittal on untenable grounds. It is unsustainable and is set aside. Orders of the Trial Court and First Appellate Court stand restored. Steps shall be taken by the concerned Court to take the respondent-accused to custody to serve remainder of sentence. (Para 13)

JUDGMENT

Arijit Pasayat, J. - Leave granted.

2. The State of Kerala challenges the order passed by the learned Single Judge of the Kerala High Court directing acquittal of the respondent by accepting revision petition filed by the respondent. Respondent was found guilty of offences punishable under Sections 451 and 377 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860 (in short IPC). The Trial Court had convicted the respondent as aforesaid and had imposed sentence of six months and one year rigorous imprisonment respectively with fine of Rs.2000/- in each case. The fine amount of Rs.2000/- was to be paid to the victim in terms of Section 357 (1)(b) of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (in short Cr.P.C.).

3. Factual background as unfolded during trial of the respondent was that on 10.11.1986 accused trespassed into the house of the victim-girl who was nearly about 10 years of age on the date of occurrence and committed unnatural offence on her. After finding the victim alone in the house the accused committed unnatural offence by putting his penis having carnal intercourse against order of nature. The victim (PW-1) told about the incident to her friend (PW-2) who narrated the same to the parents of the victim and accordingly on 13.11.1986 First Information Report was lodged. The investigation was undertaken by PW-11 who sent both the victim and the accused for medical examination. He also seized the dress worn by the victim at the time of occurrence. The Chemical Analyst report Ex.P7 indicated presence of human semen and spermatozoa on the dress of the victim. Potency of the accused was also proved by the doctor (PW-10) as per Ex.P6.

4. To further the prosecution version, 11 witnesses were examined. The accused pleaded innocence. On consideration of the evidence on record, learned Judicial Magistrate, Ist Class, found the accused guilty and convicted and sentenced as aforesaid noted. An appeal before the learned Sessions Judge, Kelpetta did not bring any relief to the accused. Revision was filed before the High Court which by the impugned order set aside the order of conviction and sentence. The primary ground on which the High Court directed acquittal was the absence of corroboration and alleged suppression of a report purported to have been given before the FIR in question was lodged.

5. In support of the appeal, learned counsel for the State submitted that the High Courts approach is clearly erroneous. This Court in a catena of cases has held that corroboration is not necessary for a case of this nature. Finding certain alleged inconsistencies in the victims testimony, the High Court had observed that corroboration was necessary. It relied on a purported statement stated to have been made at anterior point of time. It was observed that in the said complaint details of the incident constituting the offence were not disclosed. This was suppressed by the Investigating Officer and mother of the victim i.e. PW-5.

6. There is no appearance on behalf of the respondent-accused in spite of the service of the notice.

7. An accused cannot cling to a fossil formula and insist on corroborative evidence, even if taken as a whole, the case spoken to by the victim strikes a judicial mind as probable. Judicial response to human rights cannot be blunted by legal jugglery. A similar view was expressed by this Court in Rafiq v. State of U.P. (1980 (4) SCC 262) with some anguish. The same was echoed again in Bharwada Bhogiabhai and Hirjibhai v. State of Gujarat (AIR 1988 SC 753). It was observed in the said case that in the Indian setting refusal to act on the testimony of the victim of sexual assault in the absence of corroboration as a rule, is adding insult to injury. A girl or a woman in the tradition bound non-permissive society of India would be extremely reluctant even to admit that any incident which is likely to reflect on her chastity or dignity had ever occurred. She would be conscious of the danger of being ostracized by

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2006 Supreme(SC) 1082

IMPORTANT POINTEvidence of a victim of sex offence is entitled to great weight, absence of corroboration notwithstanding and corroboration is not the sine qua non for conviction in rape case.

Cases Referred (4)

IMPORTANT POINT
Evidence of a victim of sex offence is entitled to great weight, absence of corroboration notwithstanding and corroboration is not the sine qua non for conviction in rape case.