SupremeToday Landscape Ad
Back
Next
Judicial Analysis Court Copy Headnote Facts Arguments Court observation
Listen Audio Icon Pause Audio Icon
judgment-img

2020 Supreme(Kar) 1061

IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA AT BENGALURU
B. Veerappa, E.S. Indiresh, JJ.
Nagesh - Appellant
Versus
State Of Karnataka - Respondent
Criminal Appeal No. 397 of 2015
Decided On : 08-09-2020

Advocates Appeared:
Amaresh N, Advocate, S. Rachaiah, Advocate

Headnote:(A) Indian Penal Code - Sections 448, 376, 392 r/w 397, and 506 - Criminal Appeal filed against conviction and sentence by Sessions Judge, convicting accused for trespass, rape, robbery and criminal intimidation, confirming six months to life imprisonment and fines totaling Rs.11,000/- - Conviction affirmed with emphasis on the heinous nature of crime against an elderly woman. (Paras 1, 7, 72)

(B) Legal standard of proof - The prosecution must prove its case beyond reasonable doubt. The court found satisfactory evidence of trespass and sexual assault against the victim. (Paras 5, 12, 53)

(C) Societal protection and dignity - Courts are mandated to act decisively against sexual violence, emphasizing the importance of protecting fundamental rights and societal norms. (Paras 60, 62, 68)

Facts of the case:
The victim, aged 69, was assaulted in her home by the accused who threatened her with a knife, committed rape, and robbed her. Evidence included witness testimonies and medical examinations. (Paras 15, 17, 39)

Findings of Court:
The court found that the prosecution's evidence established the accused's guilt beyond reasonable doubt due to consistent witness accounts and corroborative medical evidence. (Paras 39, 53, 72)

Issues: Whether the prosecution proved the offences under IPC sections 448, 376, 392 r/w 397 and 506 against the accused. (Paras 15, 74)

Ratio Decidendi: The court reasoned that proof beyond reasonable doubt was achieved through the testimonies of the victim and corroborative evidence; the heinous nature of the crime warranted strict punishment. (Paras 53, 74)

Result: Criminal Appeal dismissed and conviction upheld.

Table of Content
1. establishment of facts related to the crime. (Para 2)
2. details on evidence and legal procedures. (Para 3 , 4)
3. arguments presented by the defense. (Para 7 , 8 , 9)
4. arguments presented by the prosecution. (Para 11 , 12)
5. court's observations on prosecution evidence. (Para 38 , 53)
6. court's stance on penalties and societal impacts of sexual violence. (Para 60 , 69)
7. final dismissal of appeal and compensation order. (Para 74 , 75)

JUDGMENT

B.Veerappa, J. - The accused/appellant filed the present Criminal Appeal under Section 374(2) of the Code of Criminal Procedure against the judgment and Order of conviction and sentence dated 14/18.11.2014 made in S.C. No.161/2013 on the file of the VI Additional District and Sessions Judge, Dakshina Kannada, Mangaluru, convicting the accused and sentencing him to undergo simple imprisonment for six months and to pay a fine of Rs. 1,000/- and in default to pay the fine amount, to undergo further simple imprisonment for two months, for the offence punishable under Section 448 of the INDIAN PENAL CODE ; to undergo rigorous life imprisonment and to pay a fine of Rs. 5,000/-, in default to pay the fine amount, to undergo further simple imprisonment for two years for the offence punishable under Section 376 of the INDIAN PENAL CODE ; to undergo rigorous imprisonment for seven years and to pay a fine of Rs. 5,000/-, in default to pay the fine amount, to undergo further simple imprisonment for two years for the offence punishable under Sections 392 r/w 397 of the INDIAN PENAL CODE ; to undergo simple imprisonment for one year and to pay a fine of Rs. 1,000/-, in default to pay the fine amount, to undergo further simple imprisonment for six months for the offence punishable under Section 506 of the INDIAN PENAL CODE .

    I. FACTS OF THE CASE

2. It is the case of the prosecution that the complainant/P.W.1- Smt. Mary D'souza is resident of Door No.7/63/13 situated at Saripalla house, Alape village, Mangaluru Taluk. On 14.07.2013, at about 7.15 pm, the accused called P.W.1 as (grand mother, grand mother) from the back door of her house. When P.W.1 opened the door, the accused trespassed into her house by holding a knife, threatened her not to shout, otherwise, he will kill her and dragged her to the bed room, forcibly removed her clothes and committed sexual intercourse, against her will. After committing rape, he robbed cash of Rs. 5,500/- and jewellery worth Rs. 51,000/- from the vanity bag kept in the almirah and ran away from the house. Therefore, she came out shouting (thief, thief) by covering with a piece of cloth. It is further case of the prosecution that on the next day, i.e., on 15.07.2014, C.W.26/ P.W.21-Ravish, Police Inspector, arrested the accused, seized the cash and jewels from his possession and produced the accused before the Court who was remanded to judicial custody. The Investigating Officer recorded the statement of the witnesses, secured report from the Doctor and Forensic Science Laboratory. After completion of the investigation, P.W.21 filed charge sheet against the accused before the Magistrate, who, took cognizance of the offences in C.C.No.3422/2013 and committed the matter to the Prl. District and Sessions Judge, Mangaluru.

    II. EVIDENCE OF PROSECUTION WITNESSES AND DOCUMENTS RELIED UPON BY THE PROSECUTION

3. In order to bring home the guilt of the accused, the prosecution examined P.Ws.1 to 21 and marked Exs.P.1 to P.23(a) and M.Os.1 to 18. After completion of evidence of prosecution witnesses, the Court recorded the statement of the accused under Section 313 of the Code of Criminal Procedure by explaining the incriminating materials appearing against him. The accused denied all incriminating evidence made against him by the prosecution and filed additional statement under Section 313 (5) of the Code of Criminal Procedure and did not

Click Here to Read the rest of this document
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
SupremeToday Portrait Ad
supreme today icon
logo-black

An indispensable Tool for Legal Professionals, Endorsed by Various High Court and Judicial Officers

Please visit our Training & Support
Center or Contact Us for assistance

qr

Scan Me!

India’s Legal research and Law Firm App, Download now!

For Daily Legal Updates, Join us on :

whatsapp-icon Back to top