JUDGMENT

(Smt.) RANJANA PRAKASH DESAI, J.

1. Leave granted.

2. The appellant was tried by the Additional Sessions Judge, Faridabad in Sessions Case No.RBT-8 of 1999 for offences punishable under Sections 376 and 450 of the IPC. By judgment and order dated 3/8/2001, learned Additional Sessions Judge convicted the appellant for the offence punishable under Section 376 of the IPC and sentenced him to undergo rigorous imprisonment for seven years and to pay a fine of Rs.5,000/-. In default of payment of fine, he was directed to undergo rigorous imprisonment for a period of one year. The appellant was also convicted for offence punishable under Section 450 of the IPC and sentenced to undergo rigorous imprisonment for two years and to pay a fine of Rs.1,000/-. In default of payment of fine, he was directed to undergo rigorous imprisonment for a period of two months. The substantive sentences were ordered to run concurrently. Being aggrieved by the said conviction and sentence, the appellant filed criminal appeal in the Punjab and Haryana High Court. By the impugned judgment, the High Court dismissed the said appeal. Hence, this appeal, by special leave.

3. According to the prosecution on 12