The prosecution must prove the guilt of the accused beyond reasonable doubt in cases of trafficking and sexual assault, especially when serious allegations are involved.

JUDGMENT :

(B.V.L.N. Chakravarthi, J.)

1. Heard Sri Sayed Sardar Saheb Akil, learned counsel for the appellant/A-1, Smt.A.Gayathri Reddy, learned counsel for the appellant/A-5 in Crl.A.No.529/2013, and Sri C.Sharan Reddy, learned counsel for appellants/A-7 and A-9 in Crl.A.No.569/2013 and Sri S.Dushyanth Reddy, learned Addl. Public Prosecutor for respondent/State.

2. The appeal vide CRL.A.No.529/2013 is filed for A-1, A-2, A-3 and A-5. The appeal vide CRL.A.No.569/2013 is filed for A-7 and A-9. Both the appeals arose from the judgment dated 26.06.2013passed in S.C.No.420/2010 on the file of the learned I Addl.District & Sessions Judge, Guntur (hereinafter referred to as ‘trial Court’).

3. The appellants/A-2 and A-3 died pending appeal. Therefore, case against A-2 and A-3 abated as per order of this Court.

4. The accused No.1 was tried and convicted by the trial Court for the offence U/s.372, 366-A, 343 of Indian Penal Code, 1860 (for brevity ‘I.P.C.’). A-1 was also tried and convicted for the offence U/s.3, 4, 5, 6 and7 (1) (A) of Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act, 1956 (for brevity IT(P) Act,1956) and sentenced to suffer rigorous imprisonment for 10 years and to pay fine of Rs.25,000/- (Rupees Twenty Five Thousand only), in default, to suffer simple imprisonment for six months for the offence U/s.372 IPC; suffer rigorous imprisonment for 10 years and to pay fine of Rs.25,000/- (Rupees Twenty Five Thousand only), in default, to suffer simple imprisonment for six months for the offence U/s.366-A IPC; to suffer rigorous imprisonment for two years and to pay fine of Rs.5,000/- (Rupees Five Thousand only), in default, to suffer simple imprisonment for two months for the offence U/s.343 IPC; to suffer rigorous imprisonment for one year and to pay fine of Rs.2,000/- (Rupees Two Thousand only), in default, to suffer simple imprisonment for one month for the offence U/s.3 of Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act, 1956; to suffer rigorous imprisonment for seven years and to pay fine of Rs.2,000/- (Rupees Two Thousand only), in default, to suffer simple imprisonment for one month for the offence U/s.4 of Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act, 1956; to suffer rigorous imprisonment for 14 years and to pay fine of Rs.2,000/- (Rupees Two Thousand only), in default, to suffer simple imprisonment for one month for the offence U/s.5 (1) (a to d) proviso (ii) of Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act, 1956; to suffer rigorous imprisonment for seven years and to pay fine of Rs.2,000/- (Rupees Two Thousand only), in default, to suffer simple imprisonment for one month for the offence U/s.6 of Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act, 1956; to suffer rigorous imprisonment for seven years and to pay fine of Rs.10,000/- (Rupees Ten Thousand only), in default, to suffer simple imprisonment for three months for the offence U/s.7(1)(A) of Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act, 1956.

(a) A-5 was sentenced to suffer rigorous imprisonment for one year and to pay fine of Rs.2,000/- (Rupees Two Thousand only), in default, to suffer simple imprisonment for one month for the offence U/s.3 of Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act, 1956; to suffer rigorous imprisonment for seven years and to pay fine of Rs.2,000/- (Rupees Two Thousand only), in default, to suffer simple imprisonment for one month for the offence U/s.4 of Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act, 1956; to suffer rigorous imprisonment for 14 years and to pay fine of Rs.2,000/- (Rupees Two Thousand only), in default, to suffer simple imprisonment for one month for the offence U/s.5 (1) (a to d); proviso (ii) Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act, 1956; to suffer rigorous imprisonment for seven years and to pay fine of Rs.2,000/- (Rupees Two Thousand only), in default, to suffer simple imprisonment for onemonth for the offence U/s.6 of Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act, 1956; to suffer rigorous imprisonment for seven years and to pay fine of Rs.10,000/- (Rupees Ten Thousand only), in default, to suffer simple imprisonment for three months for the