CHAKRADHARI SHARAN SINGH and RAJESH KUMAR VERMA, JJ.
Criminal Appeal (DB) No.764 of 2019
(16.1.2023)
Lalu Sharma ... Appellant
vs.
State of Bihar ... Respondent
Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012 – Section 6 – Indian Penal Code, 1860 – Section 376(2) – Rape of girl child – Conviction and sentence – Medical report does not support prosecution's case of penetrative sexual assault made by appellant on victim within meaning of Section 3 of POCSO Act – Similarly, it does not corroborate accusation of charge of commission of rape within meaning of Section 375 of IPC – There is contradiction in evidence of father of victim – Doctor concluded that there was no sign suggestive of vaginal intercourse, but there was evidence of genital assault present – Though case of penetrative sexual assault is not proved, evidence of victim read with medical evidence proves appellant's act of touching victim or assaulting victim with sexual intent, involving physical contact without penetration – Conviction of appellant under Section 376(2) of IPC and Section 6 of POCSO Act set aside – Appellant convicted under Section 8 of POCSO Act and sentenced to rigorous imprisonment for a term of five years with a fine of Rs.20,000/- – Amount of compensation awarded by Trial Court under Section 33(8) of POCSO Act reduced to Rs. 50,000/- – Appeal Partly allowed. (Paras 8 to 15)
Chakradhari Sharan Singh, J. – The appellant has preferred this appeal under Section 374(2) of the Cr.P.C. putting to challenge the judgment of conviction dated 27.04.2019 and the order of sentence dated 30.04.2019, passed by the learned Additional Sessions Judge 1st cum-Special Judge, Kaimur at Bhabhua, in POCSO Trial No. 46 of 2017 arising out of Bhabhua Mahila Police Station Case No. 71 of 2017, whereby the sole appellant has been convicted and sentenced as under: –
| Convicted under Sections | Sentence | ||
| Imprisonment | Fine (Rs.) | In default of fine | |
| 376(2) of the Indian Penal Code | 15 years | 50,000/- | RI for six months |
2. The victim’s name has been concealed in the present judgment and order.
3. A written report of the informant 04.12.2017, which bears his LTI, is the basis for registration of the concerned Mahila (Bhabhua) Police Station Case No. 71 of 2017 disclosing commission of the offence punishable under Section 376 of the IPC and Section 6 of the POCSO Act. It was his allegation that on 03.12.2017, at 3 PM, his daughter (hereinafter referred to as ‘the victim’) had gone for guarding his potato field. In the meanwhile, the appellant, a co-villager, came and taking advantage of her solitude forcibly took her towards Durgawati river and committed rape on her. After the victim started screaming, the appellant fled away. Thereafter, the victim returned to her house and narrated the entire occurrence in the family. The informant and the informant’s wife had seen blood stains on her leg. The victim was thereafter taken by him to the Sadar Hospital, Mohania, for treatment whereafter they came to the police station to get the case registered.
4. It is worthwhile mentioning here that the statement of the victim was recorded by the learned Magistrate under Section 164 of the Cr.P.C. on 08.12.2017 (Exhibit-9), which has been proved by the learned Magistrate by whom the said statement was recorded. In her statement under Section 164 of the Cr.P.C., the victim stated that she had gone in her agricultural field to uproot radishes, where the appellant too was uprooting radishes. She asserted that the appellant lifted her and forcibly took her to the river, where he put her undergarments (pants), off in course of which he tore off the victim’s undergarment. Thereafter, she had returned to her house and explained the entire occurrence to her grandmother and maternal grandmother. When she explained the incident to her father, he immediately rushed and caught hold of the appellant. The family members of the appellant, however, got him released from the clutches of the victim’s father.
5. The victim was subjected to medical examination. The medical Officer, posted at Sadar Hospital, Bhabhua, recorded following findings: –
“No marks of violence found over her body except external genital area and neighbourhood area. Secondary sexual character not developed. No foreign hair found over any part of her body. Examination of external genital area and neighbourhood area – one lacerated wound, size about ¼ cm x ¼ cm x 1/8 cm. Smeared with blood clot present right side of urethra. One lacerated wound present over perineum size about ½ cm x ¼ cm x 1/8 cm. Smeared with blood clot. Said victim already catheterized some where else.
Internal Examination – First of all vaginal swab is taken and sent for pathological examination report of which shows that no spermatozoa was found either dead or alive, only epithelial and pus cell and RBC are present. Original copy of the report duly signed and attached herewith. Hymen membrane found intact. No internal bleeding found. Ultra-sound of whole abdomen advised and done at Sadar Hospital, Bhabhua. Report of ultra-sound shows that uterus is not visualise and rest are normal. Original copy of the report is attached herewith.
Opinion – Above mentioned injuries are simple in nature caused by hard blunt
The main legal point established in the judgment is the distinction between rape and sexual assault, emphasizing the need for corroborative evidence and consistency in the victim's statement for a co....
The main legal point established in the judgment is the reliance on corroborative evidence, including medical reports and witness testimony, to establish the commission of sexual offences. Additional....
The prosecution must establish guilt beyond a reasonable doubt, with sufficient and credible evidence; failure to do so invalidates a conviction.
The prosecution must prove guilt beyond reasonable doubt, and the quality of evidence is essential in criminal law.
The victim's testimony in a sexual assault case stands at a higher pedestal than injured witness and needs no corroboration.
The conviction under the POCSO Act requires substantial evidence beyond mere suspicion; failure to prove such evidence necessitates acquittal.
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